Everyone waited for Jayden Daniels, but Commanders defense stole the show against Eagles

All offseason, the conversation surrounding the Washington Commanders seemed to come back to Jayden Daniels.

Could he bounce back? Could Washington's offense look like the group that helped carry the franchise to the NFC Championship Game two years ago? Could the Commanders become dangerous again?

Turns out everyone might have been watching the wrong side of the ball.

Washington lost its opener 24-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles, but Daronte Jones' rebuilt defense gave Commanders fans something they haven't had much of lately: legitimate reason for optimism.

Commanders defense looked nothing like last year's disaster

Let's remember where this group came from.

Washington finished dead last in the NFL defensively last season. The Commanders responded by hiring Jones as defensive coordinator and potentially replacing eight starters.

One game doesn't erase 2025. It sure didn't look like the same defense, though.

Philadelphia finished with only 318 total yards. Jalen Hurts threw for 203, while Saquon Barkley was held to 83 rushing yards. Hurts was also sacked three times.

More importantly, Washington kept getting off the field.

The Eagles punted on four consecutive possessions at one point, giving an offense that struggled to find any rhythm plenty of opportunities to get back into the game.

That wasn't supposed to be Washington's formula.

Daronte Jones wasn't afraid to come after Jalen Hurts

There was nothing timid about Jones' debut.

Washington brought pressure and made Hurts uncomfortable, with rookie Sonny Styles and newcomer Odafe Oweh among those getting home for sacks. The aggressive approach was noticeable immediately.

The Eagles still found a few explosive plays. Dallas Goedert's 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the obvious killer, and Philadelphia had enough success on the ground to keep Washington honest.

But this wasn't a defense hanging on for dear life.

For long stretches, it was the reason Washington had a chance.

That's a massive change for a team that spent last season asking Daniels and the offense to cover for a defense that couldn't consistently stop anybody.

Washington may finally have something to complement Jayden Daniels

Daniels eventually came alive in the fourth quarter, throwing touchdowns to Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams as Washington nearly erased an eight-point deficit. But he finished with only 164 passing yards, and the offense managed 295 total yards.

Washington still nearly won.

That's the encouraging part.

The Commanders don't need Daniels to recreate his spectacular rookie season every Sunday if this defense is legitimate. They don't need the offense scoring 30 points just to have a chance.

Nobody should crown Jones' defense after 60 minutes. Philadelphia still scored 24 points and hit Washington with several costly explosive plays.

But after what Commanders fans watched defensively last season, holding the Eagles to 318 yards on the road while repeatedly giving Daniels another chance felt like a revelation.

Everyone spent the offseason waiting to see if Washington could get its offense back.

The defense may have gotten there first.