“That was such an incredible experience.” This is what Joe Theismann told Al Galdi on his podcast in 2023, 40 years later after helping the city to its first and only championship glory back in 1983. Oh, he just recalled the moment he stood alongside his teammates at the Rose Bowl, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. But even more than the win, what stood out for Theismann was the bond he shared with the team. “We were a bunch of characters with character,” he said. His eyes still light up when he talks about that fourth-quarter, 43-yard John Riggins touchdown run: the play that sealed the win.

Now, in 2025, Theismann finds himself reflecting on the future of Washington football, specifically, its new hope: Jayden Daniels. In a recent appearance on the Go Long podcast, Theismann answered the most burning question in Washington right now. “What do you see in Jaden Daniels? What do you see in this team? Is this a Super Bowl caliber squad this season?” It’s a fair ask, considering JD led the team to a 12-5 regular season finish and a postseason run that took them as deep as the NFC title clash against the eventual champs, the Eagles.

But despite his bias towards his beloved team, he didn’t oversell the dreams. “You know, it really depends. How healthy do people stay? You got a shot if you’re a good football team,” he responded. However, Theismann did emphasize on the one key factor that could tilt the tides in their favor. The ability of the team to protect Jayden Daniels and keep him on his feet. “I pray for him. I know he’s going to be fine, but I pray that he stays healthy. That’s the biggest thing. 17 weeks is a lot of football.”

However, Joe did sound the alarm for NFL if Daniels was to play another entire season under center without a nudge. “We have a quarterback that’s smart, works very hard, and is very good. He’s unflappable, and when he gets the ball, you know something special could happen,” Theismann remarked, pointing to Daniels’ remarkable maturity and potential. His words carried weight: he knows talent when he sees it.

Selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels wasted no time living up to the hype. His statistics from his historic rookie season are enough to make anyone lean forward from their seat. Insert the famous “dialing in” video game meme or how some call it the “lean forward” meme. That was JD’s whole rookie season summed up. With 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and a stellar 100.1 passer rating, Daniels quickly emerged as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league. The dual-threat signal-caller added 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns, redefining what it means to be a modern quarterback.

Despite his individual success, Daniels saw what the actual roadblocks in pro football look like. The Commanders faced adversity mid-season, losing three consecutive close games. Steelers 28 – 27 Commanders. Eagles 26 – 18 Commanders. Cowboys 34 – 26 Commanders. Yet for Daniels, those losses became an essential part of his growth. “Adversity is going to tell you a lot about who you are as a man,” Daniels said. Sure, the veteran leadership around him, especially from players like Bobby Wagner, proved invaluable. But what truly stood out was his unshakable confidence.

Theismann, too, sees that same confidence in Daniels. In fact, it’s something he admires about him. “Jayden is the stick that stirs the drink,” he stated during the podcast, further solidifying Daniels as the key to Washington’s success. The path to the Super Bowl may be long, but for Theismann, watching Daniels take charge feels like a continuation of a legacy that began in 1983. Theismann’s prayers for Daniels echo the hopes of an entire city, one that has seen its fair share of highs and lows.

Can Jayden Daniels end Washington’s 42-year MVP drought?

It started with one tweet. Back in January, after Jayden Daniels pulled off Washington’s first playoff win since 2005, Joe Theismann logged onto X and hit send: “Why not Jayden Rookie of the year and MVP.”

He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t caught up in the moment. Theismann—Washington’s last league MVP—meant every word. The rookie had just taken down the Bucs in the Wild Card round and injected hope into a franchise that’s mostly run on fumes and déjà vu.

But the award? That went elsewhere. Buffalo’s Josh Allen—who’s been unofficially knighted as the “King of the North”—ended up lifting the trophy, beating Lamar Jackson to it. Daniels didn’t crack the finalist list. Still, that wasn’t the end of the story. Not even close.

Because if Daniels does end up winning an MVP, it wouldn’t just be another career highlight. It would be the first time a Washington quarterback has done it since Theismann in 1983. That’s over four decades. Back when shoulder pads were massive, and helmets still looked like prototypes.

What Daniels has already done: taking Washington deep into the postseason, showing poise, swagger, and the kind of fight that made Theismann tweet in all caps. All of that has not blind-sided anyone paying attention. Not the fans. Not the opponents. And definitely not the voters.

So, if you’re tracking history, keep the name Jayden Daniels bookmarked. He’s chasing legacy. And the next time someone from D.C. walks away with an MVP, it might just be the kid Joe already co-signed. But that chase begins on Sept. 7 against the Giants at the Northwest Stadium.