Jayden Daniels Adopts 2 New Looks in Commanders Offense as Washington Tries to Cut Hits
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
Jayden Daniels Adopts 2 New Looks in Commanders Offense as Washington Tries to Cut Hits
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
Summary
Jayden Daniels is learning to huddle and take snaps under center in Washington’s revamped offense, a shift coaches say should improve communication, expand the playbook and reduce the punishment he absorbs.
32% of Washington’s plays were huddled last season — just 20% beyond opening snaps — while Daniels was under center on only 5.8% of his plays, leaving the offense both simplified and oddly slow.
13.8% is Daniels’ scramble rate over the past two seasons, the NFL’s highest, and after four injuries in 2025 the Commanders plan fewer designed quarterback runs and more play-action structure around him.
31-year-old first-time coordinator David Blough is driving the redesign, using camp call-it periods and more in-huddle communication to build what the team hopes becomes a long-term Daniels-centered system.
GoPro audio from Daniels’ helmet also reinforced the staff’s bet: Quinn said the quarterback sounded calm and in command in the huddle, a sign Washington believes he is ready to lead the offense.
As the Commanders force their franchise quarterback under center, will this drastic scheme change unleash his superpowers or expose new vulnerabilities?
Will stripping away the dynamic rushing elements that made Jayden Daniels a star actually save his career, or ruin it?