Jayden Daniels Commanders offseason support and improvements are critical as the Washington Commanders prepare for the 2025 NFL season following Daniels’ standout rookie year. After leading Washington to its first NFC Championship Game since 1991 and securing offensive rookie of the year honors, the team’s management has focused this offseason on strengthening the roster around their young quarterback to sustain and build upon last year’s success.
Building on Jayden Daniels’ Rookie Success Amid Rising Challenges
During the 2024 season, Jayden Daniels propelled the Washington Commanders’ offense to its most productive level in over a decade, helping the team finish fifth in scoring and seventh in total yards. His performance earned him the offensive rookie of the year award and placed him seventh in MVP voting. However, the upcoming season promises to be more demanding as the Commanders face a tougher schedule, including eight matchups against defenses ranked in the top seven in scoring, and two games against the Philadelphia Eagles, a dominant defensive team. Altogether, nine of Washington’s opponents are ranked among the league’s top 10 defenses.
The NFC East division poses additional challenges with standout defensive players like Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Jalen Carter of the Eagles, alongside New York Giants defenders Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II, complemented by highly rated rookies Abdul Carter and Donovan Ezeiruaku. This heightened level of competition underscores the importance of the Commanders’ offseason moves to support Daniels.
The Commanders also benefit from Daniels being on a cost-effective rookie contract, allowing them to invest in high-profile veterans such as tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel. These additions aim to bolster the offense and protect Daniels better, giving the team more flexibility as noted by Washington general manager Adam Peters:
“We’re just trying to make our team as good as possible all the time,”
Adam Peters said.
“That does give us more flexibility but knowing that eventually at some point that’ll come to an end.”
Enhancing the Offensive Line to Shield Daniels from Pressure
One of the Commanders’ key offseason priorities has been improving offensive line protection for Daniels. Washington could field new starters at up to three line positions this year, or even four when accounting for the injured right guard Sam Cosmi, who remains the only returning starter from 2023. The team acquired five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil in a trade and selected tackle Josh Conerly Jr. 29th overall in the most recent NFL draft.
These moves are designed not only to fortify pass protection but also to allow Brandon Coleman, a third-round draft pick in 2024 who started 15 games at left tackle last year, to shift to guard—a position analysts had identified as a better fit for him since college. Upgrading the line is vital considering the fierce pass rushers Washington must face in the NFC East, making it imperative that Daniels receives consistent protection to extend plays and maintain composure in the pocket.
Though Daniels was not constantly under duress last season—being pressured on 32.6% of his throws and ranking 22nd in the league—he was sacked 47 times, the fifth-highest total in the NFL. Many sacks resulted from Daniels running out of bounds near or behind the line of scrimmage, showing that pressure affected play dynamics despite relatively good pocket protection stats.
Former Washington coach Jay Gruden highlighted the importance of protection for Daniels’ development, stating:
“This is a guy that can take you to places you haven’t been in a long time. For that to happen, you have to have good protection; it also helps the run game which will help protect Jayden as well.”
A league executive expressed optimism that the rejuvenated offensive line would enable Daniels to trust his pocket more and reduce the frequency of scrambles, which led the NFL last season with 70 attempts—19 more than any other quarterback. Stronger protection should mitigate this, allowing Daniels to deliver more consistent passing performance.
The enhanced line will also benefit Washington’s run game, which relies on pulling guards and tackles. With a more athletic frontline, designed to support screen passes and running plays effectively, Daniels is expected to improve his ability to hand off the ball rather than relying on his legs.
Conerly Jr., when asked about his role after being drafted, said:
“Someone that’s going to make sure their quarterback stays upright and opens up lanes for anybody else.”
Injecting New Playmakers to Expand Offensive Threats
The Commanders have taken deliberate steps to surround Daniels with more dynamic skill-position players. They retained important contributors such as tight end Zach Ertz, who caught 66 passes and scored seven touchdowns last season, and wide receiver Noah Brown, who was on track for a productive year before a kidney injury sidelined him. Meanwhile, Washington let receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown depart in free agency, signaling a shift in playmaker strategy.
Washington’s offense ranked 22nd in plays gaining 20 or more yards, an area targeted for improvement. The acquisition of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, known for his ability to generate big plays and gain yards after the catch, was central to this effort. Samuel recorded 55 explosive plays in the past four years, with an emphasis on screen passes and underneath routes—pillars of Washington’s offensive approach. Coach Dan Quinn described Samuel as:
“An explosive player, not just [within] the scheme, but after he gets the ball in his hands.”
The Commanders also drafted Jaylin Lane in the fourth round, a versatile slot receiver and punt returner noted for his speed and quickness. Lane posted an average of 10.2 yards per punt return last season at Virginia Tech and ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. His coach, Brent Pry, praised Lane’s surprising physicality and agility, explaining:
“He’s a challenging man for a lot of reasons,”
Pry said.
“He’s got some running back qualities. He’s very good with the ball in his hands. He stronger and runs tougher than people expect.”
Lane expressed confidence in his ability to contribute immediately to Washington’s offense:
“I’m fast and versatile, I want to bring explosion and just be a reliable target for Jayden.”
Maintaining Coaching Continuity and Veteran Leadership
The Commanders also prioritized retaining key staff to maintain stability in Daniels’ development. Head coach Dan Quinn structured his offensive staff with internal promotions in mind, anticipating the potential departure of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. However, Kingsbury remained with the team, and other coaches also turned down opportunities elsewhere, preserving cohesiveness.
Another vital retention was Marcus Mariota, who re-signed to continue as Daniels’ backup. Mariota’s veteran presence was frequently cited by Daniels as instrumental during his rookie season. Coach Quinn emphasized Mariota’s value as a mentor, saying:
“In a perfect scenario, a young quarterback would have a leader to also learn from, but perfect rarely happens. But we do have that in Marcus Mariota. Him sharing nine years of gold with Jayden, I think, has been something that’s really cool for us to see. Rookie quarterbacks usually don’t get that.”
Daniels also developed strong rapport with coaching staff, routinely engaging in early morning walkthroughs three times a week alongside Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard. He maintained frequent communication with assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough, and participated in lighthearted competitions like a quarterback version of “Horse,” honing his skills in a relaxed yet competitive environment. Daniels specifically highlighted the impact Kingsbury has had on his growth:
“He’s meant a lot, obviously, for my development and my growth, from the day I stepped foot here to this point now.”
Outlook: How These Moves Could Shape Daniels’ 2025 Season
The Commanders’ attention to bolstering their offensive line, adding impactful playmakers, and preserving coaching continuity demonstrate a comprehensive strategy to maximize Jayden Daniels’ growth in 2025. With a tougher schedule ahead and elite divisional defenders to contend with, the organization’s investments aim to ease the pressure on Daniels and complement his skill set.
Improved protection should allow Daniels more confidence and time in the pocket, reducing his need to scramble and increasing the effectiveness of the run game. The addition of aggressive, explosive receivers like Deebo Samuel and Jaylin Lane will enhance the passing attack’s depth and versatility. Meanwhile, veteran leadership from coaches and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota offers invaluable support for the young quarterback’s ongoing development.
If these offseason adjustments perform as expected, Daniels could build on his exceptional rookie display and lead the Commanders to sustained contention in a highly competitive NFC East. The 2025 season will test whether the Commanders’ tailored offseason moves translate into a stronger, more resilient offense centered around their promising franchise quarterback.