Robert Griffin III: Commanders' playoff hopes rest with healthy Jayden Daniels

The parallels between Robert Griffin III and Jayden Daniels are apparent.

Griffin galvanized Washington’s franchise during his rookie season en route to winning the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Daniels achieved the same impact when he reinvigorated the Commanders in his rookie campaign, winning the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy and leading the franchise all the way to the NFC championship game.

Griffin’s career was derailed due to injuries. He suffered a knee injury at the end of his rookie season and a dislocated ankle in 2014 before he was released by Washington in March of 2016.

The former NFL quarterback is hopeful Daniels doesn’t have the same injury fate. He believes the Commanders are on an upward trajectory, and a healthy Daniels can lead the franchise to the “promised land.”

"I think what Washington has done in the offseason has been really, really beneficial to the team. Getting younger on defense. Sonny Styles is a great pick at linebacker. On the offensive side of the ball, bringing in some more weapons for Jayden Daniels," Griffin said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of USAA.

"But the ultimate thing is going to be, can Jayden Daniels stay healthy? And if he stays healthy, which I believe he will, I think that Washington will return back to prominence, and the season would be great."

The Commanders signed wide receivers Treylon Burks and Van Jefferson, adding some depth entering the season. Tight end Chig Okonkwo signed a three-year deal to bolster the tight end room.

That all, in addition to the moves that Washington made in the draft, means Griffin believes it's now on Daniels to lead the organization to the "promised land."

“I think what Dan Quinn has done is taken the defense in his own hands again. Adam Peters has filled the roster with exceptional talent. Now it's just up to Jayden Daniels to lead the guys to the promised land and continue to work on staying healthy. His rookie year, he was healthy (and) you saw the result. Last year, he wasn't healthy (and) you saw the result. Everything is deemed based upon whether or not (Daniels) can stay healthy or not.”

Daniels is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season. The Commanders QB sprained his knee in Week 2, injured his hamstring in Week 7 and suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 9. His various injuries limited him to just seven games.

Daniels told USA TODAY Sports in March that he’s feeling good after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

RG3 and Jayden Daniels: Teammates?

Coincidentally, Daniels and Griffin could become teammates in the near future.

Daniels has flirted with the idea of possibly playing on Team USA’s flag football team "if the opportunity presents itself." Griffin recently announced his intentions to try out for Team USA ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"The No. 1 reason that I want to play for Team USA at the Olympics in '28 is because of my daughters," Griffin, who has four daughters, said. "They wanted me to play. When I was playing the NFL, they were too young to really notice."

Griffin, who’s parents were both in the military, said wearing a Team USA uniform also has special meaning to him.

"The second reason is because I know how much it means to wear USA across your chest, because of my military background, because of what my parents went through, because of the military community. I want to honor my kids (and) I want to honor the military. That's been the driving force for me wanting to play for Team USA in 2028 at the Olympics."

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.