Where would you rank Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders among the NFL’s top quarterbacks?
Chris Simms, co-host of Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio, has been counting down his top 40 NFL quarterbacks over the last week. On Monday, he talked about Daniels. Simms began by saying Daniels was unhappy that Kliff Kingsbury was not retained as the Commanders‘ offensive coordinator.
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For the record, Simms ranked Daniels as his No. 9 NFL Quarterback for 2026. Commanders fans also might be interested to learn that last week, Simms named Marcus Mariota as his No. 35 quarterback in the NFL. For now, what did Simms have to say about why he was ranking Daniels as his No. 9 quarterback in the NFL?
“The guys that are ranked ahead of him are no slouches, they’re no slappies. But Jayden Daniels does have superstar talent.”
“Last year and part of his negativity is his frame, his body. Is he going to be able to stay healthy? It’s something you worry about with him. I saw a picture of him at OTA’s last week…Oh my gosh, man, I wish he would put a little bit more meat on his bones.”
“But really, as a player, there’s really not much to worry about with Jayden Daniels. He does everything pretty awesome. You know the running is special. His accuracy throwing the football, he rarely misses the target. Makes all the throws, throws off of his back foot. He is an awesome decision maker.”
“He could be No. 3 or No. 4 next year, he has that type of talent…He’s got the right approach as a quarterback and just the right touch overall to lead a football team. He never gets too high, he never gets too low.”
“He plays big in the pocket, he does. Even though he is frail, he is tall and can see over the linemen and make throws there when people are in his face. That’s what I like.”
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) carries the ball defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(Amber Searls, Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) chases in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders WWE Title Belts at the NFL Shop
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 14: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass against Abdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) makes a catch defended by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) in the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
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Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; A large Washington Commanders helmet at the Palacio de Cibellas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
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Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Commanders vs. Rams, Matthew Stafford
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) breaks a tackle attempt by New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) before scoring a touchdown, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
(Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com, Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Aug 18, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after their game at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(Amber Searls, Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Nov 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
(Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Chris Simms shows respect to Jayden Daniels