The 2025 season was one to forget for the Washington Commanders. There were the injuries, particularly to quarterback Jayden Daniels, a historically bad defense, and a 5-12 record that cost both coordinators their jobs.
Washington has nowhere to go but up in 2026.
The Commanders are counting on Daniels to be healthy next season after missing 10 games in 2024. Part of head coach Dan Quinn's reasoning for moving on from former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was a desire to see Daniels under center more. Not only does Quinn hope to see a more traditional run game to support Daniels, but to also see the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year operate with more play-action opportunities.
New offensive coordinator David Blough, Daniels' assistant QB coach for the past two seasons, is tasked with helping Daniels rebound after a disappointing sophomore season. If things go as Quinn anticipates, the Commanders could be in store for a huge bounce-back year.
Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum not only believes Washington will rebound next year, but he thinks Daniels will be the NFL MVP.
A panel of NFL experts, which included the former Jets GM, predicted the Super Bowl winners and losers for next season, as well as the MVP. Tannenbaum not only has Daniels as his 2026 MVP, but the Commanders as Super Bowl champions.
First, here is his Super Bowl prediction.
Commanders over Bills. Quarterback Jayden Daniels stays healthy next season and bounces back in a big way. He plays in every game and finishes the season by outdueling Allen and the Bills in a 45-42 shootout in L.A.
Now, for his MVP prediction.
Daniels will rebound from an injury-plagued 2025 season and reassert himself as the top quarterback of the 2024 draft class. He stays healthy, performs well throwing and running the ball and makes new offensive coordinator David Blough a prime head coaching candidate.
Neither of Tannenbaum's predictions are outlandish. If Daniels is healthy and returns to form, Washington can beat anyone.
Are you listening, Adam Peters? Washington's GM is under heavy pressure this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Former NFL GM makes 2 huge 2026 predictions