The Washington Commanders believe rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels can elevate their supporting cast, and not the other way around. This is what “franchise” quarterbacks are supposed to do, of course, but they don’t already do it early in their careers.

A few of Washington’s decisions ahead of final cuts suggest that the LSU product is already up to the challenge.

For one, the Commanders named Daniels the Week 1 starter before the preseason had even wrapped. Secondly, they traded 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson to the Eagles the week before the cut deadline.

The trade of Dotson tells us two things. One, it says the Commanders trust Daniels to get the most out of receivers like Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown and rookie Luke McCaffrey—Terry McLaurin is a proven star.

If Washington was looking to carry the rookie, it probably would have kept Dotson, who has been inconsistent but flashed talent with 11 touchdowns and a 12.4 yards-per-catch average in two seasons.

Secondly, it says the Commanders believe in the receiver depth they have and/or they can find a viable replacement for Dotson via trade or in the post-cuts free-agent pool.

Washington didn’t get a ton in return for Dotson (a 2025 third-round pick and a pair of seventh-rounders) to send him to a division rival. So, while the compensation is something, the trade appears to be more about the current team—specifically, that Daniels is ready to help the Commanders turn the corner right away.