ESPN lumps Jayden Daniels into a weird group with some other quarterbacks and it doesn’t make any sense at all

Jayden Daniels fully has fully recovered from the elbow injury he suffered in 2025. So why is ESPN saying his play is worth monitoring over the next few months and into the regular season, even?

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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Jayden Daniels is under a weird spotlight thanks to ESPN.
Dec 20, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks on from the sidelines during the final minutes of the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels is fully past the elbow injury that tormented him throughout the 2025 season and he’s already making big throws in Washington Commanders OTAs.

So then why is ESPN saying Jayden Daniels “recovery” from his injury is worth monitoring a la Patrick Mahomes’ ACL, Bo Nix’s ankle, and Daniel Jones’ Achilles – all worse injuries, by far.

That’s what the four-lettered network did Monday when it released an article detailing a bunch of nuggets, predictions, and overall information as we hit the 100-day mark before Week 1 kickoff.

Senior insider Dan Graziano asked as much:

Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels all saw their 2025 seasons end early due to injuries. When will they all be back? How effective will they be once they are? Encouraging reports so far on all four, but we will continue to monitor the progress of their respective recoveries as the offseason moves along.

Dan Graziano

ESPN

Jayden Daniels should not be listed with those other QBs, plain and simple

Again, Daniels is fully healthy. The other three are still in their respective rehab processes and yes, there have been encouraging reports. At the same time, however, nothing is a slam dunk with them when it comes to their Week 1 availability.

Daniels’ elbow isn’t in the same realm of the other injuries, either. A dislocated elbow is far less able to have a negative, long-term effect on a quarterback’s play compared to the other injuries. Especially when considering how the other quarterbacks use their mobility to heighten their game and impact on the field.

Daniels didn’t even suffer any ligament damage to his elbow and didn’t need surgery. The other guys can’t say the same, obviously. Especially Nix, who recently had a second surgery, even if it was anticipated.

Ultimately, it’s a harmless comment, but it’s also a strange one. Daniels’ name could’ve, and should’ve, been left out of the mention.

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