Why Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels needs to sit the rest of the season

While the Washington Commanders contemplate a plan to bring back injured star quarterback Jayden Daniels, here’s the only move that makes sense: don’t.

After all the mistakes Washington’s management has made on and off the field before and during this wasted season, risking Daniels being injured again would be its most reckless.

At this point, shutting down Daniels for the remainder of the season – for the Commanders, it’s over – is the right call. It’s as clear as Washington’s ineptitude in pass defense, and that’s saying something.

After meeting with medical specialists Wednesday about the gruesome dislocated left elbow Daniels suffered in the Commanders’ Week 9 thrashing at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks, senior team officials are close to determining the next steps for last season’s Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, head coach Dan Quinn told reporters.

“We should have an update for you in the next day or so,” Quinn said. “Just being thorough, through the whole process. … Gather all the info, then make the decisions from there.”

This isn’t multiple choice.

For myriad reasons, if Daniels’ most recent injury heals enough for him to help the team in any of its eight remaining games, he should only do so by holding a clipboard and standing on the sideline.

In addition to suffering a dislocated elbow, Daniels has played in only six of Washington’s nine games while also recovering from a left knee sprain and a right hamstring injury. To consider putting Daniels back on the field, the Commanders must do a risk-reward analysis.

The conclusion here is that it’s just too risky.

In leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie, Daniels validated management’s decision to select him with the second overall pick during the 2024 NFL draft. Both as a passer and a runner, Daniels dazzled and displayed a flair for the dramatic.

Suddenly, Washington’s long-suffering fans had reason to smile again. Daniels was just that good. His performance lifted the Commanders to heights they hadn’t reached in decades, and they entered this season looking for more.

Unfortunately for them and their fans, last season’s magic didn’t carry over.

General manager Adam Peters assembled the oldest roster in the league – and clearly one of its worst. Losers of four straight and five of six, the Commanders (3-6) are third in the four-team NFC East.

With both Daniels and second-team All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin having missed much of the season, Washington’s offense just hasn’t developed a rhythm. It’s even harder to find the right words to describe Washington’s defense.

The unit has had major problems in pass coverage, which is putting it nicely.

In Washington’s 38-14 Week 9 implosion against Seattle – with about 5 minutes to play in the second quarter, Seattle had a 28-0 lead – fans at halftime bolted for the Northwest Stadium parking lots. While Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold had time to whip up omelets in the pocket, Daniels was pressured relentlessly throughout the game.

The disturbing scene recalled the tenure of former Washington head coach Jim Zorn, who directed stunningly poor performances weekly. To be sure, those are not images Commanders fans want to be reminded of again.

Quinn shouldered responsibility for not removing Daniels earlier during the blowout in which he suffered his elbow injury. One might argue that Peters also should apologize to Washington’s franchise passer for providing him with such a poor supporting cast.

The Commanders need to start over and rebuild their roster with Daniels’ long-term production front of mind. That means assembling an offensive line that can actually protect him in the pocket, and providing Daniels with better – and younger – receivers.

None of that can happen during the season. If everything breaks right, we’re talking at least an offseason’s worth of work.

With that in mind, even if Daniels were to recover in time to play again, why risk putting him behind that offensive line – with little to no help from that defense? The Commanders should look toward the future. Because if Daniels remains under center for a long time, it could still be bright for them.

Daniels is a gamer. If he feels he’s capable of playing, he’ll push to play. That’s what players do. That’s why it’s up to Quinn and Peters to protect him – which Quinn didn’t do against Seattle.

The old-school argument is that if healthy, Daniels should get back in the game. After all, players can’t play in bubble wrap. The NFL is the most violent workplace in professional sports, and major injuries are just part of the cost of doing business.

All true.

In the modern NFL, however, in which star quarterbacks are the most valuable assets of multi-billion-dollar enterprises, prudent, long-range business decisions must be made for the good of franchises. In hindsight, Quinn acknowledged Daniels should have been standing next to him much earlier against Seattle.

Pulling Daniels for the rest of the regular season would show foresight.

If Washington’s medical staff doesn’t take the decision out of their hands, Quinn and Peters must choose wisely. Commanders owner Josh Harris put his trust in them to guide his team. They’ll have no bigger opportunity to prove they deserve it.

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