There's a palpable sense of transformation surrounding the Washington Commanders this training camp and preseason. A mix of new faces, revamped coaching staff, and innovative practice structures has injected fresh energy into the team. With Dan Quinn at the helm as the new head coach and a complete overhaul of both the offensive and defensive coordinators, the Commanders are clearly setting a new course.
The Commanders' shift began with tangible changes, such as overhauling the logistics of where players reside, aiming to streamline their daily routines and enhance focus. Embracing a fresh practice structure, the team has also introduced an initiative cleverly dubbed "Tell the Truth Monday." This initiative was rolled out two days after the Commanders' narrow 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets, aiming to provide a thorough review of both successes and areas needing improvement.
"It was good to tell the truth Monday—this is what we learned, this is what we need to do heading into this week," noted head coach Dan Quinn. The essence of this initiative lies in its candid review process, helping players and coaching staff alike grasp the reality of their performances. "Don't harden your heart to the corrections," Quinn emphasized, underscoring the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of constructive criticism.
One of the highlights from the game against the Jets was rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who played one impactful drive. Daniels demonstrated his promise by leading an audible that resulted in a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown and capping the series with a three-yard touchdown run. His poised performance under pressure is a hopeful sign for the Commanders' future.
Another notable rookie, Ben Sinnott, showcased his abilities with three receptions totaling 57 yards. Reflecting on the game, Sinnott shared, "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. 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."
However, the Commanders are grappling with injuries as well. Tackles Brandon Coleman (shoulder/pectoral), Andrew Wylie (tightness), and Cornelius Lucas (personal reasons) did not play against the Jets. Their absence led to six different players lining up at tackle during the game. Among these were Mason Brooks, Chris Paul, and Braeden Daniels, with Brooks playing 34 of his team-high 53 snaps at left tackle.
The performance of the makeshift line was a mixed bag, indicative of the ongoing adjustments and depth-building in the squad. Rookies Johnny Newton (foot), Jordan Magee (knee), and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are also dealing with injuries. However, Newton and Magee are expected to contribute sooner rather than later, adding to the depth and versatility of the team.
Mason Brooks encapsulated the spirit of adaptation and resilience that defines the Commanders' current journey. "Don't harden your heart to the corrections," he said about "Tell the Truth Monday," adding, "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. Obviously, when you don't win the game, it's a little bit more serious of a 'Tell the Truth Monday' than if you come out with a win."
Brooks also touched on the challenges of navigating uncharted territory. "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. I think the important thing is just to keep moving forward the best that you can," he reflected, capturing the collective mindset of a team in transition.
As the Commanders press on through preseason, assessing game film will be critical. This footage reveals crucial insights into both the triumphs and the mistakes that define each game. With a revamped coaching staff steering the ship, the focus will be on refining strategies and fortifying the team's core strengths while addressing areas of concern.
The new era of the Washington Commanders is shaping up to be one marked by rigorous self-assessment, unrelenting accountability, and a collective commitment to improvement. The energy around the team suggests that while there are hurdles to overcome, the road ahead is paved with potential and promise.