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Commanders' Kingsbury Offers Insight On Jayden Daniels' Bigger Physique

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 9:12 AM ET

As the Washington Commanders began their OTA practices, one thing was noticeable from media and fans alike ... Jayden Daniels looked a little bigger.

With the slender Daniels sacked 47 times last season, that isn't ideal for a player hoping to have a 10+ year career, as we saw with Andrew Luck, that the constant physical punishment can take a toll.

So maybe Daniels has been in the weight room a little more often this offseason to help put on some armor and protect himself from the hits he's going to take.

And for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Jayden - who last year played at 6-4 and 200 - getting bigger wasn't homework for the quarterback this offseason.

"I don't think it was anything that we really said, 'Hey, you've got to be this weight or that weight,'" the coach said. "I mean, he knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing, but the arm strength, it looks better and you can tell he's stronger, there's no doubt."

Daniels hasn't put a number on his added poundage, and it's probably not a huge number. But it's noticeable.

The Commanders beefed up Daniels' protection with the trade for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, while also drafting Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. So Jayden's blindside is protected rather well.

But given the style in which Daniels plays with, and how devastating he is as a runner, he is going to get hit, he's going to be driven into the turf, so adding some more muscle mass isn't the worst thing in the world.

Fans hope it won't take away from his blistering speed with ball in hand, as it is one of his main weapons, but so far, so good, with Kingsbury noticing a difference in his young quarterback as he enters Year 2.

Will a "stronger" Daniels equate to success in 2025? That's the hope.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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