Commanders' Jayden Daniels could have major shakeup coming

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Jan 9, 2026 - 15:30
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Commanders' Jayden Daniels could have major shakeup coming

Suddenly, the Washington Commanders' quarterback room is probably going to have a major shake-up.

Jayden Daniels will enter his third NFL season and remain under contract, having signed a four-year deal after being drafted second overall by the Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels now knows that next season, however, the Commanders' quarterbacks will not be playing under the offensive coordinator who has been in place for the last two seasons, Kliff Kingsbury.

In addition to Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard departed the Commanders when he had the opportunity to become the head football coach at his alma mater, Stanford. On Wednesday, we learned that assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough is interviewing with the Detroit Lions for their offensive coordinator opening.

If Blough is not hired by the Lions, of course, he could return to the Commanders' staff in 2026. However, it is altogether conceivable that Dan Quinn's new offensive coordinator, when choosing his staff, may select someone other than Brian Johnson or David Blough, both currently on the Commanders' offensive staff.

Then there are the quarterbacks themselves. Sam Hartman has reportedly been a real support for Daniels these first two seasons, while on the practice squad and in the quarterback meetings. Yet, remembering Hartman's 2025 preseason being as bad as it was, would Dan Quinn and Adam Peters bring back Hartman for 2026?

Perhaps most importantly, for Daniels has been veteran backup Marcus Mariota. Coaches have extolled Mariota for his leadership in the quarterback room in general and for his leadership and mentorship to Daniels in particular.

Mariota is not an upper-level starter, but he has been a quality backup when needed. The former second-overall draft selection in 2015 will turn 33 next season (October), but the Commanders would most likely love to have Mariota back as their second quarterback. But the likelihood of Mariota's return might have decreased from 'most likely' to 'possibly.' It is no secret Mariota loves and respects the work Kingsbury does with the quarterbacks.

Depending on where Kingsbury goes for his next coaching gig, it cannot be considered a surprise if Mariota decides to follow Kingsbury to serve in a similar role he served the past two seasons in Washington. Mariota, with a very much weakened receiving corps, passed for 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025. Monday, as players cleaned out their lockers, Mariota said he would love to be back here in 2026. He expressed his belief in what Adam Peters and Dan Quinn are building from the top down.

Mariota also stated, however, that it is a business; he would look at the opportunities available to him, and that he does like to play. He also expressed his appreciation for Kingsbury in particular, "I think so much of Kliff. … When you’re able to play for someone that you truly believe in and trust, I think that’s why I ended up playing my best. I would love to see him get another shot at (head coach).”

Then there is Josh Johnson, the third quarterback this season. Frankly, Hartman was who they hoped would be the QB3, but he hasn't developed, so the Commanders went with the 39-year-old Johnson instead this past season. It was good for Johnson personally to get those last two starts and to experience a fourth-quarter drive to win what could have been his final NFL game.

Yes, it is possible that the quarterback group and coaches are going to be largely different for Jayden Daniels next season.

Is he ready for this type of change? He appears built for it, but it won't be easy, considering he'll also be learning a new offensive scheme.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels to be tested this offseason

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