Jayden Daniels wasn't playing well even before going down with a hamstring injury against the Dallas Cowboys. Something just seems off with the quarterback right now, and he could be set for yet another spell on the sidelines during a crucial stretch of games for the Washington Commanders in the coming weeks.
Perhaps inevitably, this also brought up a tired narrative around Daniels following a similar trend to one ex-Washington quarterback who started quickly but faded into the proverbial wilderness due to injury and underperformance.
That, of course, is Robert Griffin III.
Griffin was a high end draft pick by Washington. He won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. This was followed by a serious injury, and the dual-threat was never the same again.
Critics are already proclaiming Daniels is on a similar path. This didn't go unnoticed by his mother, who took to social media to voice her displeasure regarding the comparisons.
I wish you would stop manifesting RGIII on my son. Words are powerful and that's all that's talked about
— Mz Jackson (@LovelyMzJackson) October 20, 2025
Perhaps inevitably, Griffin also chimed in. The former Baylor phenom threw his support behind Daniels, although he acknowledged that the Washington pressure cooker tends to have a more significant impact than most places.
I have always supported Jayden Daniels and want nothing but the best for him. Being QB1 in Washington DC comes with an intense spotlight that I know well. You love your son and the real fans do to. I want a long healthy career for him. He will always have my support.Robert Griffin III
This is just something Daniels has to deal with. The only way this will keep from cropping up is if the trajectories change. Griffin and the LSU product are not the same, not in the playing style or the environment in which they are being developed. And the sooner these unfortunate injuries stop, the better Washington's chances will be.
Nobody should be pressing the panic button on Daniels. There are mitigating circumstances behind his regression. He's been without wide receiver Terry McLaurin for all but two games. The same goes for Noah Brown, and Deebo Samuel Sr. is also currently dealing with a heel injury that kept him out in Week 7.
It's not ideal, but the correct support system is in place around Daniels. That wasn't the case with Griffin, who clashed with coaches and had Dan Snyder as an owner before his time in D.C. came to an abrupt end.
Daniels will be just fine. And one day, these lazy takes will cease for good.
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