In the NFL, good vibes are fleeting.
Just 19 months ago, the Eagles and Commanders were headed into the offseason feeling like they had world-beaters at quarterback. Philadelphia had just conquered the football world, blowing out the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX with Jalen Hurts taking home MVP honors.Â
Washington, meanwhile, was fresh off its first NFC Championship Game appearance in over 30 years with rookie phenom Jayden Daniels leading the way. Life was good, and that conference championship game felt like the first installment of the NFLs next great quarterback rivalry.
The 2026 season opener will be the first time Hurts and Daniels have faced off since that playoff game and theres been a significant vibe shift on both sides of the matchup. Both quarterbacks are coming off frustrating 2025 seasons that may have cast some doubt on their long-term future with their respective teams.
Hurts and Daniels will be seeking massive contract extensions in the offseason. At that point, Hurts will have one year left on the extension he signed in 2023, and Daniels will be entering his third offseason, when first-round quarterbacks either sign their first big-money extension or end up in contract purgatory, a la Bryce Young in Carolina.Â
So, the stakes are clear for both quarterbacks in 2026: A bounce-back season will be rewarded with a big payday. But if last years struggles bleed over into this season, contract talks might be put on hold.
The bar for a successful season is lower for Daniels than it is for Hurts, with Washington expected to finish in the bottom half of the NFC East.Â
If the third-year pro can just stay healthy for the full 17-game slate, that will be considered a win. If Daniels stays healthy and rediscovers his 2024 form, Washington will write him a blank check in the spring. Its just hard to envision a repeat of that magical rookie season given the current state of the Commanders offense.
The offensive line was an issue last season and will be worse off in 2026 with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil out indefinitely with a torn triceps. Also, it will be up to first-year offensive coordinator David Blough, whos just three seasons into his coaching career, to work around that massive weakness.
It would be understandable if Daniels doesnt fully bounce back, but Washington may be reluctant to fork over a top-of-the-market deal for a player coming off two disappointing seasons, especially if more injuries pop up. The Commanders wouldnt have to move off Daniels, but theyd likely push contract talks into the following offseason, which is typically a bad sign for a first-round quarterback.
Daniels had issues targeting the middle of the field in 2025, but it was less about his reluctance to make those throws and more about his inability to complete them. Per Pro Football Focus, his accuracy rate on intermediate throws dropped by nearly 10% compared to his rookie season. There were a lot of poorly placed passes on his 2025 film.
But the statistical dip cant be pinned entirely on Daniels, who was throwing into tighter windows last season. With wide receiver Terry McLaurin out hurt, the Commanders were trotting some abysmal receiving groups out there. It got to a point where tight end Zach Ertz became Daniels best option against man coverage. Ertz is still a useful player, but when a 35-year-old is your most reliable option on key passing downs, its awfully hard to play quarterback.
Danielss regression from Year 1 to Year 2 can mostly be explained by his performance against man coverage and the blitz, which are closely linked. Washington didnt have receivers who could punish a defense for playing aggressively, and Daniels loses accuracy when hes forced to drive a throw into tight coverage. Hes one of the NFLs better quarterbacks when throwing with touch in between the lines of a zone defense. He just didnt get to do it often last season.
Washingtons offense should be more
