Many analysts believed Jayden Daniels had the potential for stardom went he entered the NFL last offseason. A Heisman Trophy winner during his time at LSU, Daniels had the tools to become a special quarterback for the Washington Commanders.
Frankly, Daniels exceeded any expectations his franchise or anyone in the NFL audience had for him in year one. Not only did Daniels dazzle in his rookie season, he made history for a franchise that had become a bottom feeder in the NFL hierarchy.
That changed completely in 2025. The Commanders finished 12-5, clinching a wild card spot before knocking off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions en route to the team's first NFC Championship game appearance since 1992.
Daniels amassed 4,459 total yards and 31 total touchdowns this season. Those marks made him a near unanimous choice for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award which he claimed at the NFL Honors.
Also present at Thursday's event was Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Commanders' rival touched on some matters relating to his team, but also relayed his true feelings about the Commanders' quarterback.
"I'm going to get sick when I think the Cowboys have got to play him twice a year for the rest of his career," Jones said. "He's a great talent, unique, and I'm glad to have him in the National Football League."
Unfortunately for Jerry there is no getting around those yearly meetings. However, those comments do reveal a major truth about Daniels and the Commanders' future.
Washington has shaken up the landscape of the NFC East. In recent years, this division has come down to a two-horse race between Dallas and the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels completely changes that equation.
Looking at the Cowboys specifically, they not only have to make the moves that get them even with the Eagles once again, but now they must be better than another division rival. In the Dak Prescott era, wins against the Commanders and especially the New York Giants have been unofficially penciled in as four victories before the season starts.
Daniels' presence levels the playing field between the teams or perhaps gives the Commanders the upper hand for the first time in years. Their rivals now have to make moves in response to them, not the other way around.
If the Cowboys make those steps and the Eagles maintain their high caliber of play, the NFC East could become a hot spot for premier divisional matchups in the near future.
