Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ rise was so meteoric that even President Donald Trump noticed it. After a historic 2024 season where he led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 33 years, Jayden Daniels’ sophomore campaign has been the exact opposite. Injuries have taken him down. The POTUS also chipped in with some valuable advice during the week 10 game.

“Your second string, your backup quarterback, is a good quarterback. And he’s had some very good games for you,” Trump first praised Marcus Mariota during his booth segment with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma. “And your first-string quarterback has the potential to be a great quarterback.”

“(He’s got to) stop the injuries somehow.” This 4-word message carries the alarm bells for the Commanders’ management.

Jayden Daniels got hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 38–14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks when his arm bent backward while being sacked. Early on, the team feared it could be a long-term injury, but X-rays showed no broken bones. Tests showed no ligament damage in his dislocated left elbow, and he won’t need surgery. The team also decided not to put him on injured reserve, keeping the doors open for a possible return this season.

Daniels will be checked again during Washington’s bye week after their Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid. Head coach Dan Quinn said it was a big relief. He explained that avoiding surgery makes a huge difference for Daniels and the team.

“It’s a good deal with no surgery. Obviously, that makes a big difference when you have an injury not to go down that road.”

Washington waited a few days before deciding his status, just to be sure. Quinn didn’t want to guess when Daniels might return. He said the team hasn’t talked yet about when he could play again.

It isn’t a good time for the NFC East franchise, but this downfall was predicted.

Jayden Daniels is undergoing a sophomore slump

Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene in 2024. As a rookie, he played like a star, cool in the pocket, fast on his feet, and sharp with his throws. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions. His passer rating hit 100.1, and he ran for 891 yards and 6 more scores. Daniels looked like the real deal, a new face of the Commanders and a rising name in the NFL. But 2025 has been tougher.

Through six games, his accuracy dropped to 62.5%. He’s thrown for 1,184 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Moreover, Daniels’ passer rating has fallen to 94.4 from last season’s 100.1, and his QBR slipped from 67.7 to 50.8. He’s been sacked 17 times already, showing that protection has become a real problem. Even on the ground, where Jayden Daniels once dominated, his rushing average is down from 6.0 yards per carry to 4.9. It’s the kind of dip many call the sophomore slump.

Defenses now know what to expect. They’re forcing him to stay in the pocket and closing the lanes he used to escape through. However, many analysts warned this could happen. This downturn reflects the jump from being a surprise to being a target. The league has seen such slumps before.

Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud was amazing in 2023. He threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. His passer rating was 100.8, and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. But in 2024, things changed. His numbers dropped to 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His rating fell to 83.9, and he got sacked 52 times.

The sophomore slump is a real test. Some young quarterbacks adjust. Others don’t. Daniels has now felt it.