The Washington Commanders officially inked quarterback Jayden Daniels—their No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft—to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $37.75 million, averaging $9.44 million per year. This deal secures the former LSU Heisman Trophy winner through the 2027 season, with free agency now projected in 2028 .
Contract Breakdown & Cap Impact
Total Value: $37,746,650 (fully guaranteed)
2025 Cap Hit: $8.58 million (2.9% of the cap)
Structured with prorated signing bonus across all four years, keeping short-term cap charges low.
This deal allows Washington to benefit from Daniels’ rookie affordability through at least three seasons, retaining cap flexibility to build around him.
Why It Matters
Elite Rookie Performance: Daniels’ 2024 campaign earned him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after he threw for 3,568 yards (100.1 rating) and rushed for 891 yards—setting rookie QB records
NFC Championship Run: He guided the Commanders to their first conference championship since 1991, cementing their transformation.
Financial Leverage: The rookie deal provides time to negotiate an extension before the fifth-year option kicks in—similar to the approach the Chiefs used with Patrick Mahomes.
Extension Predictions
With Daniels eligible for an extension after Year 3, projections are already swirling around a monumental payday:
$90M/year: His agent believes such a figure is “very plausible” if Daniels remains elite
$310M over five years: Bleacher Report models a potential $310 million extension ($62M APY with $250M guaranteed) after his rookie deal.
Strategic Outlook for Washington
Build Window: Entering his third season, Daniels’ rookie affordability enables Washington to acquire veteran talent—like Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel—to support a contender
Extension Timing: Similar to Mahomes, securing Daniels early could lock him in under team-friendly terms while precluding risky holdouts.
Jayden Daniels’ fully guaranteed rookie deal provides the Commanders immediate success and strategic flexibility through 2027. His record-breaking first season and NFC Finals appearance laid the foundation. Now, Washington can ride that momentum and prepare for a generational extension—potentially reaching $90 million per year within the next two seasons.
