Jayden Daniels can become an instant Commanders legend if he ends this astonishing franchise drought in the 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 7:38 AM ET

Selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft was like winning the lottery for the Washington Commanders. Daniels already broke a ton of franchise and league records on his way to winning Rookie of the Year, but there's one historic streak that needs to end this season.

Another offseason of building around the franchise quarterback, and another year in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's offense may have set him up to not only take the team to the Super Bowl, but finally have a quarterback throw for 30+ touchdowns in a season for the first time in a very long time.

The drought of a lifetime

I can personally say in my 32 years of life that this is the first time the Commanders have had a real franchise quarterback that I've been able to watch, and we never thought it would be possible through the rough times. I can't think of a better person to end a drought of 57 years like Daniels himself. The Commanders haven't had a quarterback throw for 30+ touchdowns in a season since Sonny Jurgensen did it in 1967, when he threw for 31.

The last QB to throw for 30 TDs for every team

The Bears remain the only team without a 30+ TD QB in franchise history pic.twitter.com/yFQZNcCG78
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) August 15, 2025

Daniels had 31 total touchdowns last season, but only 25 came through the air, and there were a handful of opportunities left on the field that could've gotten him to 30. Adam Peters went back to work after coming up short of a Super Bowl last season, and Daniels might have enough of a supporting cast to end the drought this year.

All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Zach Ertz were the only real weapons that Daniel had to throw to last season, and the two contributed to 20 of Daniels' 25 touchdowns. Now he has Deebo Samuel, who is playing on a prove-it contract, and looks motivated as ever. Samuel became an instant target for Daniels throughout training camp with McLaurin out, and I expect the connection to carry over all season.

.@JayD__5's first completion of camp was a dime pic.twitter.com/5owdzkQelS
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 23, 2025

Daniels also has a much-improved offensive line, so he can sit in the pocket longer and let it rip. Adding a left tackle like Laremy Tunsil is as rare as it gets, and the Commanders couldn't pass up the chance. They also drafted Josh Conerly Jr. to be the future at right tackle and possibly left tackle after Tunsil, but regardless, Daniels' sides are going to be well-protected this season.

With all the new additions, McLaurin returning with a new contract and a second season in Kingsbury's offensive system, Daniels is poised to do something in Washington that hasn't been done in his lifetime by throwing for 30+ touchdowns in a single season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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