The Washington Commanders’ bye week is here, so it's time to evaluate.
The Commanders’ Week 7 bye comes with a disappointing 1-4-1 record. For this space today, let’s talk about the Commanders at quarterback.
Jayden Daniels, the second overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft, is again flashing his elite talent. He is no doubt the favorite among Washington fans. Daniels has been playing in his four games (of six games) without Washington’s best offensive lineman, left tackle Laremy Tunsil. In addition, Monday night against the 49ers, Daniels lost the team’s top receiver, Terry McLaurin, to a torn patellar tendon in the first quarter.
Last week, prior to the 49ers game, the Commanders placed running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on Injured reserve. This means Daniels has lost his No. 1 running back for at least the next four weeks. Then there was the mess at center during training camp and the preseason as Washington went with Nick Allegretti, rookie Matt Gulbin and now 33-year-old Lucas Patrick.
Please understand, Jayden Daniels is the best player on this Washington Commanders 2026 team. Daniels is playing at a good level right now. Yes, I realize the team is 1-4-1 and 0-3-1 in games Daniels has started. But certainly you see that Daniels has enough arm, has good feet to move the pocket or break down and run for a first down. He even ran for 38- and 26-yard touchdown runs against the New York Giants two weeks ago.
Daniels is completing 64.7% of his passes in 2026, with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Did you see his numbers against the 49ers, Monday? He completed 29 of 40 (72.5%) for 300 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He averaged 7.5 yards per pass attempt, and his 110.4 passer rating was his season-high. Daniels is playing well, despite needing to wear a restrictive brace on his left arm that doesn’t let him fully extend it.
So praise Daniels when and where he should be praised. But if one is true, isn’t it also true that Jayden Daniels should be criticized where and when that is due as well? Over the last two games, Daniels has raised a level of concern not seen in his play.
Against the Giants, Daniels was told to throw the ball away if they did not get a short completion. With the ball in his hands, he inexplicably tried to run, letting the clock run out and costing the Commanders the chance to stop the clock and kick the winning field goal.
Monday night, many of us should have been flabbergasted when we saw Daniels throw the ball out of bounds on a fourth-and-2 attempt. I don’t know if I had ever seen that from an NFL quarterback. What did we just see? Why did Daniels throw the ball away on fourth-and-2?
200 IQ play. Jayden Daniels throws the ball
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) October 20, 2026
OUT OF BOUNDS on 4th down to avoid accidentally throwing a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/Pxj4Bn0rTf
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn expressed to the media that he actually told Daniels, “You still take your shot.” This should concern all coaches, all teammates, and anyone who follows the team closely, because Daniels didn’t already understand. Daniels, in his third NFL season, also played five college seasons, yet he still had to be told, "You don't throw it away on 4th down."
Yes, Daniels is playing well in 2026, but he has also shown a lack of awareness in the last two weeks that should concern an NFL quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Evaluating Commanders QB Jayden Daniels after six weeks