ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Dan Quinn enters training camp with one simple goal in mind.
"There’s going to be a lot of competition,” the Washington Commanders coach said.
Almost every NFL team preaches competition in training camp, but Quinn was intentional with his words. In June during offseason workouts, he foresaw this to be the team's "most competitive camp that we’ve had, going into Year 3.”
It is a crucial year for Washington after going 5-12 last season,
following the Super Bowl aspirations that came from reaching the NFC championship game when quarterback Jayden Daniels was a rookie in 2024.
How the 2025 season unfolded left a bitter taste with not just Quinn but his players, too.
“We’re tired of losing,” safety Jeremy Reaves said. “It’s frustrating."
The Commanders changed offensive and defensive coordinators and were active in free agency — signing nearly a dozen new players, highlighted by edge rusher Odafe Oweh, linebacker Leo Chenal and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys,” said running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who is going into his second season. “We’re just excited to work together and see how good we can be.”
To emphasize competition, Quinn has broken up training camp into six blocks, each spanning three to four practices. The first was red zone work, which dominated team drills on Wednesday.
Quinn's camp philosophy change has already made players take notice.
“The energy is different. The intensity is different,” Reaves said. “We want to win. That’s what we’re here to do. No excuses. Just come out here and get the work done.”
The Commanders’ success largely rests on the shoulders of Daniels, who played in just seven games last season because of multiple injuries and was not nearly as effective as when he first stepped into the NFL. He is also ready to leave 2025 behind.
“You go out there, move forward, get better," Daniels said. "You can’t really rush the days or the season coming back, but you just attack it and approach it with a different mindset.”
Entering his third season, Daniels has taken on more of a leadership role, especially following the departures of longtime veterans Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz.
“I have more of a voice,” Daniels said, adding: “I’ve just been more intentional with not only myself, but getting guys around me ready and rallying the troops. (Wagner is) like a big brother to me. I picked up on things that he did, how he led and using his voice in certain situations. Now he’s not here, so it’s my turn.”
Although the Commanders’ roster underwent significant changes this offseason, Daniels is one of several holdovers from the 2024 squad who understand the culture Quinn is trying to set.
“We have guys that push that standard,” Daniels said. “We’ve got great leaders on both sides of the ball ... that have been here and know the ropes.”
Daniels’ first camp practice was up and down, but defenses are typically ahead of offenses early in camp. The 25-year-old is still learning David Blough’s offense but said he’s “more comfortable now than I was in the spring.”
The highlight of Wednesday’s practice came when Daniels connected with receiver Treylon Burks on a perfect corner route for a touchdown during team drills. The celebration that followed was in midseason form.
“It was good work on both sides,” Daniels said. “At the end of the day, that’s all camp is: really, building our identity and making sure guys get good work and make each other better.”
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