Jayden Daniels' injury might be an ominous sign for Commanders, and not just in 2026

The Washington Commanders have begun the 2026 season with a 0-2 record, and now Jayden Daniels has suffered a dislocated left elbow, the same one he injured last season.

There's some real concern about Daniels going forward, as he's likely to miss some time this season. But, unfortunately for the Commanders, this Daniels' injury isn't just about 2026.

As ESPN's Bill Barnwell highlighted, this Daniels' injury might be more "ominous" thanks to the possible long-lasting effects that this injury could have on Daniels' future with the Commanders beyond his rookie deal.

Jayden Daniels' injury is an ominous sign for his Commanders' future

"After an 0-2 start and another Daniels injury, it certainly feels like another one of those wasted years for Washington, if not something even more ominous," Barnwell writes.

Obviously, the 2026 season for the Commanders has likely been completely derailed by this injury. Barring a surprising quick turnaround, the Commanders will have to keep their season alive with Marcus Mariota.

While he's not a bad backup quarterback, the ceiling of this team has dropped significantly by going from Daniels to Mariota at the QB position.

The 2026 season for the Commanders might already be over, as making a run into the playoffs from this spot feels impossible. It's not over just yet, but it certainly feels like it is.

But that's not the only issue for Daniels and the Commanders to worry about. This is his third season in the NFL, and he will be extension-eligible after this season.

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If he were fully healthy, a long-term deal would be a no-brainer for the Commanders. Things have changed with his injury issues over the last two seasons.

Washington might now be looking at picking up his fifth-year option and a franchise tag to see if he can stay healthy. If his injury issues stick around, it's hard to imagine the Commanders willingly spending a fortune on him.

When healthy, Daniels is more than worth at least $60 million per-year. But as of now, with all of the uncertainty about his injury history, his future contract outlook doesn't look very promising.

That's why Barnwell believes this Daniels' injury could be "ominous" for the Commanders and the first-round QB. If his injury issues continue, then the Commanders might not be able to keep Daniels long-term like they might've planned after 2024.

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