Stefon Diggs gives Jayden Daniels what he needs for comeback season

The Washington Commanders spent months collecting possible answers at wide receiver. Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson gave them options. None gave opposing defenses a reason to change their plans.

Stefon Diggs does.

Washington is reportedly signing the four-time Pro Bowl receiver to a one-year contract worth up to $12 million. At 32, Diggs is no longer the player who routinely tortured defenses in Buffalo. He is still coming off an 85-catch, 1,013-yard season with New England, though, and has topped 1,000 receiving yards in seven of the past eight years. Reuters

For Jayden Daniels, this is about more than adding another recognizable name.

Commanders needed someone defenses could not ignore

Terry McLaurin remains Washington’s best receiver, but the offense became far too dependent on him. When opponents devoted extra attention to McLaurin, Daniels often had to wait for someone else to uncover or create something with his legs.

That formula became particularly dangerous last season.

Daniels appeared in only seven games because of knee, hamstring and elbow injuries. He threw for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions after producing one of the greatest rookie seasons in league history.

Washington cannot build its offense around Daniels escaping pressure and turning broken plays into highlights. It looks spectacular until the quarterback gets hit.

Diggs gives him a receiver who understands how to find space, adjust his routes and provide a reliable option when the original play breaks down. He also forces defenses to think twice before rolling coverage toward McLaurin.

That split-second of hesitation could make Daniels’ job considerably easier.

Stefon Diggs does not need to become the No. 1 receiver

Washington is not asking Diggs to carry the passing game. That is what makes the signing appealing.

McLaurin can remain the primary target. Diggs can work underneath, move the chains and punish defenses that devote too much attention elsewhere. Rookie Antonio Williams and Luke McCaffrey will not be forced into larger roles before they are ready.

Adding Diggs gives that progress a chance to continue once the games begin.

Pressure now shifts to Jayden Daniels

The Commanders have done their part.

Daniels has McLaurin, Diggs, Chig Okonkwo and several younger receivers competing for snaps. There is enough talent for Washington to run a dangerous passing offense without asking its quarterback to rush for 800 yards.

That does not mean Daniels must immediately recreate his rookie season. Staying healthy and returning the offense to respectability would qualify as a successful comeback.

Diggs will not fix everything by himself. He does remove Washington’s biggest remaining question on offense.

Now Daniels has to prove last season was only an injury-filled interruption, not the beginning of a troubling pattern.