The Washington Commanders are in the midst of a full-blown renaissance. After the new ownership group took over, Washington took just one season to go from a four-win bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship Game. Now they’re walking into the 2025-26 season as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
However, it’s been a long time since the fanbase had much to cheer about, with just six playoff appearances in the last 30 years. As a result, everyone is excited about the new-look Commanders, including a former MVP and Super Bowl champion from the franchise, Joe Theismann.
What Makes Joe Theismann So Optimistic About Jayden Daniels and the Commanders?
After coming to the NFL in 1974, Theismann spent the entirety of his 12-year run with the Washington Redskins. It took him a while to get things underway, but a two-year stretch in 1982 and 1983 defined his success with the franchise.
During that dominant period, he earned two Pro Bowl selections and won the league’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year award in 1983. He also led them to a victory in Super Bowl 17 and another appearance in Super Bowl 18.
Now set to participate in the American Century Championship from July 11 onwards, Theismann sat down with PFSN for an exclusive interview. The conversation inevitably turned to his former team and their recent turnaround.
First and foremost, he gave credit to the front office and management in place. “I think Dan Quinn and Adam Peters, the GM, and the entire organization did a great job.” Then, his next round of applause was for the new ownership group led by Josh Harris.
“The thing I appreciate about Josh so much is that they didn’t come in and start dismantling this organization. They bought it, they took a hard, long look at it, and they said, ‘What do we have? What do we need to do? Who are the people we need to put in place?'”
According to Theismann, the group went about executing their vision, and it’s now led him to feel, “It’s really exciting what this football team is going to be able to do.” However, he had to give a huge amount of credit to the player coming off the greatest season for a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
“Jayden is making a world of difference,” he began, before adding what separates him from other young quarterbacks. “He doesn’t want to be good — he wants to be great.” But the one thing he believes is rare in Daniels, especially so early in his career, is the mindset.
Every Jayden Daniels touchdown from his historic rookie season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UOLHKnBW3f
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 22, 2025
What truly impressed Theismann about Daniels goes beyond individual talent. “But it’s not that ‘all-about-me’ kind of syndrome. He’s all about the football team. He’s all about him getting better as well as the team getting better, and I think he’s extremely well respected by his teammates.”
After turning the franchise from the doldrums of the NFL to one with the brightest future ahead, the ceiling for Daniels continues to rise. With a franchise legend in his corner, it will be on the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year to put together an even better sequel.
