When a franchise commits to a young quarterback, the ripple effects are felt throughout the organization. The Washington Commanders‘ 2025 NFL Draft strategy is a clear example of this, as the team invested heavily in bolstering the offensive line to support second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. While the move was seen as a necessary step for securing Daniels’ development, it also raised questions about the broader implications of the team’s decision-making process and its long-term vision for success.

Former head coach Jay Gruden, whose tenure with the team lasted from 2014 to 2019, recently weighed in on the Commanders’ draft approach. Gruden, known for his candid analysis, shared his thoughts on social media about the team’s prioritization of the offensive line, which seemed to place a heavy emphasis on protecting Daniels. His comments also subtly pointed out what the team may have overlooked — the need for a dynamic edge rusher, something that was notably absent from their draft strategy.

Daniels, the 2023 Heisman winner, arrived in Washington with huge expectations but endured a rocky rookie season. Despite flashes of promise, the Commanders ended the year with a losing record, a leaky offensive line, and a locker room in flux. The team clearly responded in the draft by investing heavily in the trenches, but Gruden thinks the reasoning behind it is all about protecting one man.

“They didn’t get the edge rusher they needed in the draft,” Gruden posted on X, captioning a video breakdown. “BUT you can’t be mad at the approach of building up the line in front of your franchise QB.” In the video, Gruden noted: “They drafted more beef up front for Jayden Daniels. Any time you can protect Jayden Daniels with some key draft picks first round, I’m all for it. Josh Conerly — he protected Dillion Gabriel and gave up only one sack all season. Very good hands, good feet. Not a lot of play strength, but he’s a very good pass protector.” 

Gruden also rattled off the current state of Washington’s offensive line, showing just how crowded and unsettled things have become. He noted returning starters like Laremy Tunsil, Tyler Biadasz, and Al Grady, while raising questions about who fits where on the right side. “They’ll throw the ball out in minicamp and training camp and see who the best fit is,” he said. “Versatility is key.” His bottom line? The Commanders are doing everything to keep Daniels upright. Was it too much was the question posed. 

But context matters here. Washington didn’t so much ignore edge rusher as watch it evaporate. By the time the Commanders were back on the clock after selecting Josh Conerly, four edge rushers had come off the board in rapid succession. Rather than force a pick, the front office pivoted to Luke Lane, a do-it-all offensive weapon with special teams upside, and stuck to their board through Day 3. Only three edge defenders were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds combined, and Washington passed on all of them. The pick of Kain Medrano, a twitchy linebacker who tested well at the Combine, reinforced the theme: trust the board, don’t reach. That’s been Adam Peters’ guiding principle since he arrived. Still, the decision underscores a risk — that internal options like Dorance Armstrong and K.J. Henry are enough to stabilize a pass rush that ranked bottom five in sacks last season. If they’re wrong, the discipline they showed on draft weekend could start to look a lot like denial.

Interestingly, Gruden’s critique comes just as Daniels himself is trying to rewrite the narrative from last season. Speaking recently, Daniels acknowledged the team’s struggles but doubled down on accountability. “Last year was last year,” Daniels told NFL.com. “I know I can play better. It starts with me setting the tone in the locker room, on the field, everywhere.” The statement echoed what insiders have called a “new maturity” in Daniels’ approach heading into year two — a sign he’s fully aware of the expectations around him. While the draft left some positional gaps, Daniels’ approach to the offseason suggests he’s taking none of it lightly.

Did Jay Gruden just subtly pin the Commanders’ draft hopes on Daniels?

The Commanders’ decision to bypass marquee edge rushers and instead stack up offensive line talent has raised eyebrows. Are they insulating their quarterback, or quietly admitting he needs more help than they thought? We’ll only get the answer once the pads come on in August. Veteran voices like former coach Herm Edwards warning against trying to outdo last season at the cost of discipline: “Your hardest year in the NFL is your second year,” Edwards recently said. “Because you look at what you’ve done and you say ‘well, I gotta do more than that.’ Sometimes more is not the answer.”

Jay Gruden’s tone may come off critical, but his analysis isn’t far-fetched. Protecting Daniels is clearly priority No. 1. Still, for a team that gave up the fourth-most points in the NFL last year and desperately needs pass rush support, ignoring that side of the ball sends a strong message: Daniels is the franchise, and everything else comes second. After a hot 6-2 start in 2024, the Commanders sputtered late, and Daniels was vocal about turning the page: “Go out there and enjoy every moment with each other, but at the end of the day what happened last week doesn’t really matter.” 

That forward-focused mindset has clearly impacted team strategy, and it’s not going unnoticed by the veterans around the league. Internally, there’s growing belief that Daniels can deliver — but he’ll need to show that the investment in protection translates to production. If the Commanders’ offensive line gels and Daniels makes a sophomore leap, critics like Gruden will fade into the background. 

If they get it wrong, this draft turns into a misstep with major consequences. And don’t forget – players are watching, too. Rookies like Josh Conerly and veterans like Andrew Wylie are competing for spots, while Daniels is under pressure to lead a team that still lacks identity. One thing’s clear: this is a make-or-break year for Washington’s new regime.

Gruden’s exit from the franchise was years ago, but his commentary still holds weight. Whether he’s calling it as it is or just stirring the pot, Jay Gruden has thrown the spotlight squarely on Jayden Daniels.