Super Bowl or not, the 2024 season belonged to the Washington Commanders. Coming off a 4-13 season in 2023, the Commanders ended their 10 year drought of losing season. With 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, rookie QB Jayden Daniels proved to be their surprised hero that even Washington was not prepared to see his sudden rise. Yes, the Commanders faced a defeat in the conference championship, but they found their perfect QB to build their team around. So, when the 2025 free agency window opened, it came as no surprise that the Commanders came out swinging.

Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Will Harris among a few others, the Commanders HC Dan Quinn locked in some serious talents to make their case stronger for the 2025 season. Apart from bringing some fresh talents, the Commanders also teamed up with their former QB—Josh Johnson. And while Johnson may have come as a backup to Jayden, the veteran QB is prepared to give tough time to the Commanders QB1.

A quarterback who’s zigzagged across the NFL like a cross-country road trip, hitting more cities than a Grateful Dead tour. Josh Johnson, cousin of Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch, isn’t just a football nomad—he’s a living archive of playbooks, locker rooms, and halftime speeches. Now, as he inks his 25th professional contract, the 38-year-old’s latest stop feels like a homecoming wrapped in déjà vu. And this time, he’s got eyes on Washington’s golden arm: Jayden Daniels.

Last week, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Commanders, returning to the franchise where he once started three games during the chaotic 2018 season. “I saw the opportunity to win here,” Johnson told The Washington Post, his voice carrying the calm of a man who’s seen more NFL logos than a stadium parking lot. “I saw an opportunity to continue to get better and be a part of a system that is exciting and looks a lot of fun on tape.” For a player who’s suited up for 14 NFL teams—a record—this isn’t just another pit stop.

It’s a calculated bet on rising star Jayden Daniels. When Johnson last wore Washington’s colors, the team was a far cry from today’s revamped roster. Dan Snyder still owned the team. Alex Smith’s career hung in the balance after a gruesome leg injury. And Daniels?

He was merely a 7-year-old kid when Johnson entered the league in 2008. Now, under new ownership and head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders are banking on Daniels—the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year—to lead a resurgence. Johnson’s return isn’t nostalgia; it’s a bridge between eras. “The vibes were immaculate,” Johnson quipped about his reunion, referencing a locker room bumping too short, a nod to his Oakland roots.

Meanwhile, social media erupted over the age gap between Daniels and Johnson. Johnson was drafted perhaps when Daniels was learning multiplication tables. Yet their connection runs deeper than memes. For Daniels, Johnson’s 18 years of grit offer a masterclass in adaptability.

Jayden Daniels and the invisible thread of legacy

Fans have roasted Johnson’s nomadic career, but his value isn’t in stats. It’s in survival. Johnson’s 45 career games, 58% completion rate, and 13 touchdowns pale next to Daniels’ electric dual-threat prowess. But in a league where third-string QBs are insurance policies, Johnson’s seen every defensive scheme this side of the ’85 Bears.

The Commanders’ QB room now features Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and a battle between Johnson and Sam Hartman for third string. General Manager Adam Peters, who crossed paths with Johnson in San Francisco, knows this isn’t about arm strength. It’s about IQ. “He’s a real humble dude but also a great player,” Johnson said of Daniels. “I’m excited to get to work with him.”

Johnson’s career reads like a Forrest Gump montage—UFL stints, XFL cameos, and even a 2020 AAF draft pick. Yet here he is, eyeing a 2025 roster spot at 39. His message to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders? “Opportunity to win.” Not stats, not glory—just wins.

As the philosopher Heraclitus once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice.” For Josh Johnson, D.C.’s waters are fresh. But for a team betting on youth, does a 38-year-old’s wisdom matter more than his stat line?