Why Jayden Daniels working in new David Blough offense should scare Commanders’ opponents

It looks like Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is learning the new offense quickly. And teammate Terry McLaurin sees him taking the next step. And here is why Daniels working in David Blough’s offense should scare Commanders’ opponents.

Daniels had a great rookie season working under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. But things went south in Year 2. Daniels got hurt, and he didn’t even look good when he was in there.

Enter Blough with a new scheme and a new hope for Daniels. The Commanders are banking almost everything on Blough succeeding.

What will Commanders’ new offense do for QB Jayden Daniels?

For Daniels’ part, he said it’s still early in the process. He’s trying to learn the new language and rules, according to ESPN.

“Just learning the new offense, terminology,” he said, “why we’re attacking this play, what we want to do on this play — things like that.”

And part of moving forward is no longer dwelling on the failures of 2025.

“I’m done talking about last year,” Daniels said. “Last year is last year. I’m moving on to this season, and whatever happened last year, happened last year. It can’t do anything for me. I’ll just continue to get better.”

That’s a great attitude that the organization and Commanders fans want to see and hear. They all know that the Commanders have little shot to be a playoff threat unless Daniels looks more like 2024 than 2025.

What does OC David Blough really bring to the table?

One of the biggest philosophy changes is the snap. The Commanders are expected to have Daniels under center more and use more motion and play action.

And the changes will be significant. The Commanders utilized two tight ends on about 24% of their snaps under Kingsbury. This year, it could be closer to 50%. That’s a major change in how the offense will look to opponents. Increased play-action passes should bring more splash-play opportunities, according to ESPN.

“When we snap the ball, you shouldn’t know if we’re running it [or] throwing it,” Blough said.

That doesn’t just benefit Daniels and make him more dangerous. It helps the entire offensive unit.

“I really like our offense a lot,” said right guard Sam Cosmi. “It’s very beneficial, especially in the run game. Being under center helps, not being one-dimensional than just being in the gun. Having both of those [available] can definitely help us moving forward.”

In other words, the Commanders will go from the luck of the draw to having aces in the hole. It’s a mindset that helps the mental aspect of the players.

For example, receiver Terry McLaurin said he likes the freedom and variety the new system brings.

“I can go left, right, I can go vertical because I can still run by you,” he said. “I can stop, or I could go in. Just having those type of variations in your route tree is just an unbelievable weapon to have as a receiver.”

And Blough had the advantage of a cerebral quarterback.

He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” said new quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams of Daniels. “It’s his football knowledge, just his natural instincts, but also how quick he can process. Obviously, from the outside looking in, you see the speed, you see the arm, you see the playmaking ability, but … from the neck up, man, that’s like he is second to none.”

But one thing the Commanders still need to make this work is a No. 2 target. McLaurin is fine at WR1. And rookie Antonio Williams seems to have a reasonable chance of being a good WR3. But Luke McCaffrey and Treylon Burks are not WR2 material. Neither is Dyami Brown.

For Blough’s system to really scare opponents, the Commanders probably need to add Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs to the receiver room.

Also, the running back room — with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White leading the way — needs to be better than it looks on paper. If the Commanders can’t threaten defenses with big plays on the ground — other than scrambles by Daniels — they will have trouble with consistency. And against teams with good pass defenses, they will struggle to move the football.

There’s a balance needed that the Commanders haven’t proven yet. But if those things fall into place, there’s a chance Blough and Daniels could form quite a dynamic offensive duo.

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