The Washington Commanders are preparing to change their offensive approach heading into the 2024 NFL season, focusing on having Jayden Daniels take more snaps under center. Head coach Dan Quinn revealed on Tuesday that new offensive coordinator David Blough plans to increase Daniels’ time operating directly behind the center, contrasting with his predominant role from the shotgun position during his first two seasons.
New Offensive Coordinator Emphasizes Jayden Daniels’ Strengths
David Blough, who served as the assistant quarterbacks coach over the past two years before his promotion to offensive coordinator this offseason, believes that Daniels’ skill set aligns well with taking more under-center snaps. Blough shared,
“There’s different ways to go about things, and it’s something that I’m convicted about that with his skill set, his fundamentals, the things that we absolutely loved about him when he first got here, still rang true. [Under center] is something that we will like to implement with him and get him in that position.”
Dan Quinn Highlights Daniels’ Central Role in Offensive Plans
Dan Quinn stressed the significance of Daniels in shaping the offense, stating,
“Jayden’s a big part of our thinking in all the things we do. He wasn’t a part of the staff selection, but he drives a lot of the thinking and how we can feature him and where it goes. Having the ability to connect with him, that’s certainly a big deal for us. … It wasn’t the deciding factor, but it certainly was a good factor.”
Context of Under-Center Play and Its Impact on the Team
Recent data highlight just how limited the Commanders have been using under-center dropbacks, as NFL analyst Warren Sharp noted they were last in the league with a total of 45 such plays over the last two seasons. Daniels took only 31 of those snaps under center, a figure markedly lower compared to many playoff-contending teams in the NFL last year.
Assessing Jayden Daniels’ Performance and Recovery
Daniels will need to rebound following a challenging 2025 season, which was marred by knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries that restricted him to only seven games, with four completed starts. Despite the setbacks, he showed strong potential as the Commanders’ Offensive Rookie of the Year during their run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. However, Washington struggled to a 2-5 record in games he started and finished the season 5-12 overall, marking a significant decline from his rookie campaign.
Outlook on the New Offensive Direction and Future Potential
Transitioning to more under-center play will require adjustments from both Daniels and the coaching staff, given his previous reliance on the shotgun formation. Nevertheless, Washington’s leadership appears confident that this strategic shift will better utilize Daniels’ talents and contribute positively to the offense’s development. This move could be a pivotal factor for the Commanders as they aim to improve their performance in the upcoming season.
last 2 years, Washington has a total of 45 under center dropbacks
#32 by a mile, next closest team is 86
Jayden Daniels has 31 total under center dropbacks in 2 years in DC, by far fewest in NFL
sounds like that will change massively in 2026 https://t.co/BvMziHyddz
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 10, 2026
