Not everything is new in Washington, but the Commanders kick off training camp with a roster comprised of a majority of players in their first season with the team.
“When you’re starting anything, there’s a freshness and a newness that goes with that,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday. “Knowing that there’s new people here, new relationships. What you’re also missing is those relationships get stronger, deeper in Year 2, Year 3. But you only get one shot with the first year — and we’re not going to miss that shot.”
One of those players in the spotlight is quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the draft. The expected starter to open the season, the Commanders are not naming Daniels the No. 1 quarterback to begin camp. One of six quarterbacks drafted in the first round in April, Daniels had a breakout season at LSU and was chosen between Caleb Williams (Bears) and Drake Maye (Patriots).
Williams was anointed the starter in Chicago before minicamp. Maye was informed Jacoby Brissett enters training camp as the starter in New England.
“My experience with young quarterbacks, like (Quinn) said, it’s not one size fits all,” general manager Adam Peters said. “I think everybody can see when that’s happening. When they’re ready, the team knows. The coaches know. You don’t want to fast-track it.”
Quinn denied the rationale for not naming Daniels the first-team quarterback over Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel was to keep the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner motivated. Quinn said he’s not naming any player a starter in July.
“At every position this is the case: As we’re going through this process, we’re not going to miss one step in their development,” Quinn said. “We want to make sure we’re using all that time.”
Peters said he’s constantly trying to see the big picture but balancing the reality of the situation.
“It’s a Not for Long league, right? We’re all focused on winning right now but also building for sustained success,” Peters said.