What type of season will Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels have in 2025?
The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year broke numerous records in 2024 and led the Commanders to their best season in 33 years. To say it was a surprise would be an understatement. The 2024 season was supposed to be the first year of a "recalibration," as head coach Dan Quinn called it. Washington had other plans, winning 12 games and making it to the NFC Championship game.
One of this offseason's most popular topics was a potential sophomore slump for Daniels. C.J. Stroud took a step back in 2024 after an impressive rookie season, so many believe it's logical that Daniels will do the same. While it could happen, it also seems unfair. Assuming Daniels will suffer any sort of regression doesn't take into account how special Daniels is. Yes, he possesses elite talent, but football is priority No. 1 for him. He's not about commercials. It's about the team — not him.
After one season, some believe Daniels is already a top-five NFL quarterback. Nick Shook of NFL.com recently ranked all 32 projected starting quarterbacks ahead of Week 1, dividing them into tiers. Shook ranked Daniels No. 5 and in Tier 1.
Here's his explanation:
It might seem preposterous to rank a second-year player in Tier 1, but I'm doing so with confidence and a season's worth of proof to back it. Jayden Daniels powered a remarkable turnaround in Washington last season, showing off the arm and running talents that helped him win the Heisman Trophy in 2023. He'll be expected to build on that fantastic debut in 2025. Hopefully, he doesn't experience the same struggles C.J. Stroud endured in his second season.
Here's Shook's full rankings:
Tier 1
- 1. Patrick Mahomes
- 2. Lamar Jackson
- 3. Josh Allen
- 4. Joe Burrow
- 5. Jayden Daniels
Tier 2
- 6. Justin Herbert
- 7. Matthew Stafford
- 8. Baker Mayfield
- 9. C.J. Stroud
- 10. Jared Goff
- 11. Jalen Hurts
- 12. Geno Smith
Tier 3
- 13. Dak Prescott
- 14. Brock Purdy
- 15. Jordan Love
- 16. Kyler Murray
- 17. Sam Darnold
- 18. Bo Nix
- 19. Bryce Young
Tier 4
- 20. Tua Tagovailoa
- 21. Aaron Rodgers
- 22. Trevor Lawrence
Tier 5
- 23. Drake Maye
- 24. Caleb Williams
Tier 6
- 25. Joe Flacco
- 26. Russell Wilson
Tier 7
- 27. Michael Penix Jr.
- 28. Cam Ward
- 29. J.J. McCarthy
Tier 8
- 30. Justin Fields
- 31. Daniel Jones
- 32. Spencer Rattler
In two Week 1 games already played, we've seen all four quarterbacks (Prescott, Hurts, Herbert and Mahomes) play well. Daniels and the Commanders face the New York Giants in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels lands in top-5 of Week 1 QB rankings
