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Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels walks the sidelines during a December 25, 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, seeking to thrive in the upcoming season, wants to gain weight. His personal coach, Ryan Porter, sat down with ESPN reporter John Keim to discuss the signal-caller’s attempts to add size.
“Jayden’s big thing for this offseason is to put on more body armor. He’s trying to get a little bigger, faster, and stronger. Put on some more lean muscle. The guys are bigger, faster, and stronger in the NFL. His focus has been, “Let me get my body right.” I think from a mechanical standpoint, there’s not really much for him to focus on.”
Last summer, Daniels also made that goal. While speaking with the “This is Football” podcast, he articulated similar points.
“The main thing I’ll say this offseason is bulking up a little bit more, putting on some more armor, having a full offseason now. The first offseason as a pro.”
Daniels is six feet four inches tall, which helps him with looking over the line of scrimmage. However, he is listed at 210 pounds, which many feel is a stretch. For his height, adding weight would help him stay on the field.
As Porter mentioned, the NFL remains the undefeated place where linebackers can chase wide receivers and defensive ends can close on a quarterback in an instant. Granted, one part of the job is to absorb hits, but taking too many won’t help an offense that needs him vertical and functioning.
What seems to hurt Daniels is an angular frame and running style that appears too upright. Subsequently, he presents a wide target area for defenders to strike. This is how injuries occur. Heading into a pivotal season for many in DC involved, quarterback health must be the top priority.
GettyCommanders quarterback Jayden Daniels attempts to break away from the Minnesota Vikings during a December 7, 2025 game.
Daniels’ Weight Gain Cannot Affect Other Aspects of the Game
The Commanders, when effective, flow with Daniels sliding in and around the pocket. Waiting for wideouts to break free, he finds them down the field for a big play. Additionally, quicker plays to the tight ends and running backs require the same set to a degree.
Either way, a stationary quarterback remains an invitation for a blitzer to enjoy a free hit. The fewer Daniels can absorb those, the better the Commanders’ offense will execute.
One of Daniels’ better attributes, as attested to by this, is a free and easy throwing motion that allows the ball to climb to all three areas of the field. Too much weight would make him bulky and cause his mechanical breakdown.
GettyCommanders quarterback Jayden Daniels attempts to run by Seattle Seahawks defender Drake Jackson during a November 2, 2025.
Commanders Will Still Feel Pressure
If you take Daniel’s injury-shortened 2025 season as anomalous, then his only complete season could provide a road map. In the NFL, no quarterback is immune to pressure. Similarly, as a rookie, the Commanders’ caller dealt with his fair share.
However, how he dealt with defenders in his face actually helped the offense. According to PFF, he still threw ten touchdowns and earned a 75.4 grade. That season, opponents sacked him 51 times.
Under new coordinator David Blough, the Commanders hope to see that number diminished with a mix of quicker plays and chunk yardage that could cause defenses to rethink their approaches. It remains to be seen if Daniels can gain enough weight to survive the rigors without altering his athletic palette.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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