The Washington Commanders are packing it in for the year—at least where their franchise quarterback is concerned.
According to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team has decided to shut down Jayden Daniels for the remainder of the 2025 season. And honestly? It feels like the only logical move left on the board. Daniels reportedly failed to get medical clearance on Monday following a re-evaluation of that pesky left elbow injury.
With the Commanders sitting at a dismal 4-10 and officially eliminated from playoff contention, there is no reason to risk the future of the franchise for a meaningless Week 16 game or a Christmas Day skirmish with the Dallas Cowboys.
Why the Commanders Are Making the Right Call
Let’s be real for a second. Watching a young, electric talent like Daniels stand on the sidelines is never fun. We want to see him play. We want to see those scrambling touchdowns and the promise of what could be. But in this league, availability is the best ability, and sometimes you have to protect players from themselves.
Daniels has been banged up multiple times this year. He re-aggravated the elbow issue after just one game back, and he simply wasn’t tracking toward being ready. The Commanders’ brass looked at the standings, looked at the medical charts, and made the adult decision. Why trot him out there in a lost season just to potentially turn a lingering issue into a career-altering problem?
Instead, we’re going to see Marcus Mariota under center for the final three games. It’s not exactly the holiday gift Commanders fans were hoping for, but it’s the safe play.
What’s Next for Washington?
The focus now shifts entirely to 2026. With a top draft pick likely incoming and significant cap space, Washington needs to build a fortress around Daniels. The offensive line needs work, and he needs weapons that can help him get the ball out faster so he isn’t taking these hits.
For now, Commanders fans will have to suffer through the final stretch with Mariota, hoping for a miracle against Dallas on Christmas just for pride’s sake. But the real victory here is preserving Daniels for the long haul.
