There's a palpable sense of transformation surrounding the Washington Commanders this training camp and preseason.
With new faces in the form of players and an almost entirely revamped coaching staff, the Washington Commanders appear determined to mark a new era. Leading this change is newly appointed head coach Dan Quinn, along with fresh offensive and defensive coordinators. Together, they've brought a revitalized practice structure and have even overhauled the logistics of where players reside during the season.
"Tell the Truth Monday": A Bold Initiative
Among the most notable changes introduced by Quinn is the initiative called "Tell the Truth Monday." This initiative was rolled out just two days following the Commanders' narrow 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets. According to Quinn, "It was good to tell the truth Monday—this is what we learned, this is what we need to do heading into this week."
Focused on a thorough review of both successes and areas needing improvement, the initiative underscores an honest assessment of performance. Quinn advises his players, "Don't harden your heart to the corrections." This approach, though frank, aims to foster growth and resilience among the team members. As offensive lineman Mason Brooks eloquently explains, "Tell the Truth is good and bad. There's high points—like your rookie quarterback making a check like that—and there's low points, like guys missing assignments and coming up short."
Performance of Rookies Under the Spotlight
An exciting element of the Commanders' preseason has been the performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Against the Jets, Daniels played a single drive but made it memorable. He led an audible that resulted in a remarkable 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown and capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown run. Similarly, rookie Ben Sinnott shone brightly, notching three receptions for 57 yards. Reflecting on their overall performance, Sinnott noted, "We still got a lot of stuff to improve on. I think the big thing that we kind of heard—the 'truth'—just being able to finish that game, make the plays that we need."
Injuries and Rotations Challenge the Squad
Injuries have been another significant aspect of the preseason. Tackles Brandon Coleman (shoulder/pectoral), Andrew Wylie (tightness), and Cornelius Lucas (personal) did not play against the Jets. This necessitated six different players lining up at tackle during the game. Among those stepping up were Mason Brooks, Chris Paul, and Braeden Daniels, with Brooks playing 34 out of his team-high 53 snaps at left tackle.
Rookies Johnny Newton (foot), Jordan Magee (knee), and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are also dealing with injuries, though Newton and Magee are expected to contribute sooner rather than later.
Looking Forward: Embracing Change and Learning
The preseason has been a period of adaptation and reflection for the Commanders, as Quinn emphasizes continuous improvement and learning from experiences. "You just have to take things in stride the best that you can. When you're working in uncharted or new territory, there's a lot of new experiences for you to have," Brooks shared, encapsulating the team's resilient mindset.
The team's game film reveals both exceptional performances and areas that need fine-tuning, aligning with Quinn's transparent approach. Sinnott articulated the collective sentiment well: "We had a three-and-out, penalty on our last drive to go and take the lead, so just things we need to clean up, pre-snap errors, that kind of stuff that we can clean up and hopefully take our game to the next level."
As the Commanders move forward, the blend of new and old, guided by Quinn’s forthright method, promises a season worth watching. The development seen in the preseason sets a hopeful tone, yet there's an acknowledgment that there’s much work ahead.