Why Commanders aren't poised to contend with Jayden Daniels in 2026

One team that is perhaps flying under the pressure radar this offseason is the Washington Commanders.

After a stellar 2024 season that saw Jayden Daniels guide his team to the NFC Championship game, Washington went all in with trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. 

And a 5-12 season followed, thanks largely to injuries and poor play.

Now, Washington is faced with a big offseason once again, and yes, it has the cap space, but the draft capital isn't there for Adam Peters to wheel and deal.

NFL.com's Matt Okada has detailed how Washington's rise could be quick in 2026, but something in his reasoning has caught my eye.

"With $74.5 million in cap space (fifth in the league) and the seventh overall pick, Washington has plenty of options — they just need to pinpoint and assemble the right group of players," Okada wrote. "If they can return to even a league-average defense, like they were in 2024, and get Jayden Daniels healthy, the Commanders should be a playoff contender again in no time."

More: Lions poised for 2026 bounce back if 1 key thing happens

Too many "ifs" for Commanders

Yes, there is hope for Washington, but reading between the lines here, Okada says "if" the defense can be league average, and "if" Daniels can stay healthy, that's a lot of hope right there.

We know injuries take their toll on most teams, and Washington got their fair share last season, but there's nothing stopping that from happening again.

Plus, how will Daniels play after an injury-riddled 2025 season? Will he no longer be the stud runner we saw in his rookie year?

There's a lot of ifs surrounding the Commanders right now, and if they can't have a good offseason and upgrade the defense and Daniels' protection, who knows what 2026 will have in store for Dan Quinn's team.

More NFL news:

• Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield plays down tension with Kevin Stefanski
• Isaiah Likely's 3-word quote offers glaring Ravens reality
• Saquon Barkley's latest quote should inspire Eagles fans and scare rest of NFL
• Andy Reid's 1 sentence should thrill Chiefs fans on Travis Kelce's future
• 1 key thing potentially holding Chiefs back in Tyreek Hill reunion
• Chiefs' Andy Reid offers key Patrick Mahomes injury update
• Analyst reveals Ravens' highest offseason priority and it's not Lamar Jackson