​One year ago, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was set to begin his second NFL season. After a record-breaking rookie season, Daniels was getting mentioned as one of the NFL’s top-five quarterbacks. Unfortunately, an injury-plagued 2025 season forced Daniels to miss 10 games, and it’s almost like some forgot the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.It didn’t help that three of Daniels’ 2024 classmates, quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Bo Nix, had terrific seasons, all reaching the playoffs, while Daniels was injured.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was almost a case of ‘what have you done for me lately?’That wasn’t necessarily fair to Daniels, but two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is dealing with something similar after missing time last season with injuries, and some are unfairly questioning his place in the NFL quarterback pecking order.Daniels was recently asked about his 2025 season. He was not interested in talking about it. For Daniels, it was all about 2026.”I’m done talking about last year,” he said. “Last year was last year, moving onto this season.”Daniels appears more focused and motivated than ever to put last season behind him. To put the injury concerns behind him.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith one phenomenal, record-breaking season and another injury-marred season, how do other teams view Daniels ahead of 2026?Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report recently ranked the NFL’s “true franchise players” to build around in 2026. Maye was ranked No. 1. Gagnon ranked Daniels No. 2.Daniels experienced a dream rookie season in 2024 and followed that up with a nightmare sophomore campaign in 2025. But injuries—to himself, his offense and his entire team—played a major role.For now, we have to give the 2024 No. 2 overall pick the benefit of the doubt considering how electric he was in leading the Commanders on an improbable NFC Championship run as a rookie.Only Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow had higher QBRs than Daniels that season.Interestingly enough, Gagnon ranked Nix 14th and Williams 15th.The Commanders believe Daniels will take a big step forward in 2026. He’ll be playing in an offense tailored to his strengths and featuring more play-action opportunities, which should create more open looks in the passing game.Daniels was recently left off ESPN’s list of the top 10 quarterbacks for 2026, but was right outside the top 10, in the 11-14 range. Injuries played a significant part in Daniels’ tumble down that list.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Williams and Maye garnered headlines for their play last season, with Maye leading New England to the Super Bowl, their performance in the playoffs didn’t measure up to Daniels’ in 2024. With a bounce-back season in 2026, Daniels will top these types of lists one year from now.This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels almost tops list of true franchise players