The major Commanders storyline that could change everything in Week 1

Perhaps no NFL team enters the 2025 season with more organizational momentum than the Washington Commanders. At the same time, it can be said that no team enters the campaign with more to prove.

Critics have been divided on Washington all offseason. Some claim that 2024 was the beginning of something special, that the Commanders have entered a Super Bowl window for the foreseeable future. Others believe regression will hit hard for a team that was unsustainably lucky in close games.

The upcoming campaign will tell fans a lot about the Commanders' ceiling during the Dan Quinn era. And there's one player in particular who everybody will be watching closely.

Jayden Daniels can silence the sophomore slump noise in Commanders' Week 1 clash

Throughout the offseason, most of the attention in Washington has been on star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The second-team All-Pro finally got his high-priced contract extension after a dramatic standoff, and both sides are ready to move forward. Still, he'll need to back it up by showing he hasn't lost a step on the field.

There is also running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who became a quick fan-favorite over the offseason. He impressed throughout camps and preseason, with Washington even trading away starter Brian Robinson Jr. in part due to his emergence. Everyone is curious to see if he'll play a role after being listed No. 4 on the running back depth chart.

But let's not overthink this: the most important player on the 2025 Commanders is second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. That's not up for discussion.

Though he is by no means the whole team, this squad will go as far as Daniels takes it. The worst thing that could happen to Washington's season is that he suffers a dreaded sophomore slump, much like C.J. Stroud did a year ago with the Houston Texans.

Skeptics have used Stroud's slight regression as justification for pumping the brakes on Daniels. This is outright lazy given that they are two entirely different quarterbacks — and that the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is significantly better. The Ohio State product had an impressive first season, but it paled in comparison to what Washington's No. 2 overall pick accomplished last fall.

Daniels will need to prove he's more than just a flash in the pan. If he struggles in Week 1 against the New York Giants, it will be a long week in Washington as the peanut gallery does their victory laps. But he can also do the best possible thing by lighting up the stat sheet and scoreboard, perhaps even throwing his name into the ring as an early NFL MVP candidate along the way.

Commanders fans will be hoping for the latter option.