ASHBURN, Va. (WTKR) — For the second year in a row, Commanders training camp begins with a theme of change. New head coach Dan Quinn begins his project to help "recalibrate" Washington into a winner. Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, steps into his rookie season with plenty of expectations on his shoulders.
We'll get our first opportunity to see what the burgundy and gold will look like heading into the 2024 season as training camp gets underway at Commanders Park.
FRIDAY, JULY 26:
Day three of practices put the spotlight squarely on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The second overall pick in April's NFL Draft spoke to the media for the first time during training camp, making it clear he's ready to accept the pressures that go with that spot.
"I'm ready to embrace the teammates, the fan base, everything that just comes with playing quarterback," Daniels said. "Rookie, vet, anybody. You got to be able to embrace everything that comes with it, the good and the bad."
Those expectations have yet to deter the first year signal caller from finding a lot of joy in the process.
"It's time for football. So, I love, I'm very passionate [about] the game of football," Daniels said. "I love it. So anytime I could be on the field, I'm always happy."
The LSU product has yet to be named the starter for Week 1, with head coach Dan Quinn saying he'll know when the time is right for it. Daniels is just fine with that.
"I like competing. I'm a competitor, so regardless if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete," he said." You still can't be content of your job, comfortable. I think it is just your job to seal the deal. You got to go out there and compete. So for me it’s not a problem at all."
"Through practices, through scrimmages and preseason games all the way down, that's where the journey will take us," Quinn said. "And then not trying to hold back the info, but when we know we'll say it."
Thus far, Daniels has made a good first impression on his teammates with the burgundy and gold.
"He's a pro, he's always been a pro. He's always in the film room watching film and in the playbook, so yeah he's a pro," said corner Emmanual Forbes. "We played each other in college and he's looking great out there right now. Hopefully he can continue improving and help make us better."
"Dude is a great athlete and he's becoming a great leader for this offense," said veteran offensive lineman Andrew Wylie. "So the sky is the limit for that kid."
Whenever his moment comes, Daniels is ready to prove he can be the answer to a quarterback carousel that's last more than 30 years for Washington.
"It's about how can I prepare myself mentally, physically, emotionally to go out there and compete on the practice field," he said. "Then help us out when it comes game time if my name is called."
He will likely be a fan favorite throughout the preseason, and the time for fans to get their first glimpse of him in person is approaching.
Washington's first open practice for fans to attend opens up on Sunday, and tickets are already sold out for the first two dates they're allowed to attend.
It'll be the first chance for Quinn and company to show the culture being built on Coach Gibbs Drive.
"Practices are getting ready to perform. I'm looking forward to having the fans here for all the open practices," Quinn said, "knowing that, that's just another chance for the guys to perform. There's a ramp up in energy, a ramp up to that."
"To add the extra element of energy and even more of that, that's a really cool thing."
THURSDAY, JULY 25:
Another early day for the Commanders, but another brisk practice for the burgundy and gold. Dan Quinn's group wrapping up practice in just a little more than an hour and a half.
With plenty of work to get done, the importance of every rep becomes amplified. It's easy to move through a practice with that intensity level with a coach that has a heightened liveliness.
That's where defensive line coach Darryl Tapp comes into play.
"If we got to get the juice going, look to me, no further," he said.
Tapp returning to Washington almost feels like destiny. A Chesapeake native, he's not shy about being a lifelong fan of the organization.
"It's surreal to be able to come back to the organization that gave me a chance to play here in 2013," he said. "I couldn't be any happier working with these guys."
The Deep Creek alum's coaching journey has been six years in the making. He spent three years in the college game, including a stop with his alma mater Virginia Tech in 2020. He then moved onto the NFL, spending three seasons as an assistant defensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was part of the team's run to Super Bowl LVIII in February.
His path to coaching, however, likely began in 2009 when he was still with Seattle. The defensive end's position coach that season with the Seahawks was Dan Quinn.
"One year and it changed my whole perspective as far as being a player, because Coach Quinn was the first coach to coach me to my talents," Tapp said. "He'd reach out to me when I coached against him. You never know the paths that you cross."
"Shoot, now 15 years later we're back in the same place working as colleagues."
"Man have I been impressed by what I've seen," Quinn said. "Obviously, I've had my eye on him, and knowing that his time was coming where he was ready to lead. The energy, the instincts, the way to train people."
It's the description of a coach in the making, a far cry from what Tapp originally thought of the idea of coaching.
"Absolutely not," Tapp said with a laugh. "My last four years in the league, I realized I had more years behind me than in front of me. That's when I really sat down and tried to figure out what I was going to do."
After trying business seminars and internships with the NFL Players Association, nothing seemed to fit his passion like football did.
"I got the chance to be on staff the last four games of the 2018 season with the Saints," Tapp said. "That's when I got the bug."
Now the Hampton Roads product can be heard excitedly instructing the Commanders defensive lineman through individual drills from across the field.
"This game is a grind. So you have to fun with the process, enjoy the details," he said.
"He's an exciting guy to be around. I've been picking up a lot of pointers coming over and putting my hand in the dirt," said linebacker Jamin Davis, who is spending time working with Tapp's group. "It's going to be pretty fun this year, I'm just really excited."
Being back in Washington's franchise also means being closer to his roots. Tapp still has family living in the 757 who are looking forward to not having to board a flight to watch him handle his business.
"It's something we really wear on our chest and we're proud of where we come from," he said. "We always try to make sure to do our very best to inspire the young cats coming through there, representing home."
With plenty of work to do with a group that includes All-Pro defensive end Jonathan Allen and former Pro Bowl tackle Daron Payne, Tapp fully invested on helping get his childhood favorite team back on solid footing.
"Everything has prepared me for this moment," he said. "I'm more than ready to attack the season with these guys."
The Commanders return to the field on Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24:
Cornelius Lucas summed up the theme of Commanders training camp with one word.
"Competition is the word of the day, competition is the word of the month, competition is the word of the season," said the offensive lineman.
That's the tone set my new head coach Dan Quinn, leading the organization through camp for the first time. With new general manager Adam Peters watching on from the sidelines, Washington went through a brisk practice that kicked off at 9:00 AM.
"There's a big energy buzz so far. Everybody's just excited for the first day back," said linebacker Jamin Davis. "Everybody is just glad to be back around each other, get back to work and turn this thing in the right direction."
An efficient day of work a cornerstone for what practice looks like with Quinn at the helm.
"I'm not the best on patience," he said. "It's why I used the word 'recalibrate.' This is not rebuilding, we're not buying an old house. It's how quickly can we get to become good at so many parts of football. I'm just the opposite of patience."
That urgency is spreading through the team.
"Competition, energy. Guys are still trying to figure that out but you embrace that competition," said wide receiver Jamison Crowder. "Come out here each day, make plays, have fun and get better."
"When he first came, I asked a lot of guys around the league around him and haven't had one bad thing said about him," said All-Pro defensive end Jonathan Allen. "Everyone who's ever played for him has loved it and so far I'm loving it."
Another new piece on display is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The second overall pick in April's NFL Draft split time with number one offense with veteran Marcus Mariota during the first day of practices.
Though he's not been announced as the Week 1 starter for the Commanders, Quinn was quick to acknowledge everyone's on the same page with where the competition is likely heading.
"I want you to know, it's not a secret but it is a journey and a process," he said during a press conference with Peters on Tuesday. "So, as we're going, when he's ready, we will know. And when he's ready, he'll also know."
There's plenty of pressure on Daniels from fans, hoping that he can be the quarterback to step in and break a cycle that's seen more than 30 quarterbacks start for the franchise since 1991.
Through minicamp, OTAs and the first day of training camp, his teammates with the burgundy and gold have seen a player willing to do what it takes to take up that mantle.
"Jayden with his natural ability, not only that but his work ethic is very strong," said Terry McLaurin, who's tallied three straight seasons 1,000+ receiving yards. "He wants to be great. And not only that but he's very personable and he wants his teammates to have fun."
"I think he'll continue to get better and I'm looking forward to it," Crowder said.
Camp continues on Thursday at 9:00 AM. The first three practices will be just the team and media, with fans arriving on Sunday for their first look at practices in person.
