The Washington Commanders entered the 2025 season with high expectations after their surprising run to the NFC Championship Game, but those hopes are fading fast. The team has been hit hard by injuries, and now star quarterback Jayden Daniels has gone down for the second time this season, raising fears of a repeat of the Robert Griffin III saga.
Griffin, also a No. 2 overall pick by Washington and the Offensive Rookie of the Year, saw his once-promising career quickly derailed by injuries. While Daniels has performed well when healthy, his repeated setbacks have fueled uncomfortable comparisons; ones his mother, Regina, isn’t happy about. Now, RGIII himself has spoken out, breaking his silence on the growing conversation.
How Did Robert Griffin III Respond to Jayden Daniels’ Mother’s Plea?
Daniels was sacked in the third quarter of the team’s Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and came up grabbing his hamstring. He left the game to be evaluated and did not return. It marked his second injury of the 2025 season, and the young quarterback’s recurring lower-body issues have reignited comparisons to RGIII’s injury-plagued career.
Daniels’ mother, Regina, was quick to defend her son on social media, refusing to entertain the growing narrative. Frustrated with the constant comparisons, she fired back at fans who were invoking Griffin’s name.
“I wish you would stop manifesting RGIII on my son. Words are powerful and that’s all that’s talked about,” said Regina.
The parallels are hard to ignore, and fans can’t be blamed for fearing a repeat of history. However, everyone, even Griffin himself, is hoping that isn’t the case.
“I have always supported Jayden Daniels and want nothing but the best for him,” RGIII wrote, quoting Regina’s post on X. “Being QB1 in Washington DC comes with an intense spotlight that I know well. You love your son and the real fans do to. I want a long healthy career for him. He will always have my support.”
I have always supported Jayden Daniels and want nothing but the best for him. Being QB1 in Washington DC comes with an intense spotlight that I know well. You love your son and the real fans do to. I want a long healthy career for him. He will always have my support. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/GAojRdiBZW
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 20, 2025
Griffin was one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the NFL before injuries cut his career short. His rookie season remains one of the most memorable in league history, and while Daniels’ own debut campaign has been rated slightly higher, the echoes of Griffin’s story loom large. The former star QB was never quite the same after his injuries, losing his starting role and the trajectory that once promised greatness.
While Griffin suffered a sophomore slump before his decline, Daniels has remained sharp when healthy. Through five games this season, he has thrown for 1,031 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception, while adding 211 rushing yards and a score. He currently ranks 22nd in PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
For now, all of Washington is holding its breath, hoping Daniels’ latest injury proves minor, and that history doesn’t repeat itself.