“Honestly, I expect us to be a lot better.”
That is how Commanders head coach Dan Quinn responded to former Washington quarterback Alex Smith, asking, since the Commanders turned things around from a four-win season in 2023 to a 12-win 2024 season, what Quinn has been thinking this off-season about the 2025 Washington Commanders.
Quinn, as a guest on the “Glue Guys Podcast” last week, was quick to explain that he understands it starts with him. How is Quinn himself going to get better? Ever communicating with his leaders, Quinn said he has already asked his assistant coaches and starting quarterback Jayden Daniels what that would look like for them.
Being as experienced as Quinn is, he is by no means naive. He understands there are so many elements involved in an NFL season, such as injuries, when injuries occur, and how an NFL schedule changes from one season to another. Consequently, he understands the reality that with a collective effort from coaches and players, the Commanders could actually be better in 2025. However, their record may not be as good as their 12-5, 2024 season.
“I am hoping the team we are bringing in will be a really competitive group,” said Quinn. “Like, this is going to be a hard team to make. A lot of positions have some legitimate comp (competition). It’s going to elevate a lot of people. So, if we get that part right, the best teams have huge competitions among positions and in practice, offense and defense. That’s what I hope we can create here.”
From the outset of practice, Quinn has his players competing in many things. “Just have fun doing it,” said Quinn. “When the next competition is over, we are on to something else. So, there’s no resentment to the teammate or the other coach. It’s just, on to the next one.”
Bringing in a few players who have really high standards was also important for Quinn in his first season. So Washington signed linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz. Quinn made it clear that he didn’t bring them in to coach, but he understands how important it is to have veteran leaders who buy in and lead their peers on the field and in the meeting rooms.
Who are some of the glue guys for Dan Quinn? “As the head coach, you need to see the role players. Because if you don’t, you are missing so many things that they bring to your team. There is the glue guy who may be vet minimum (contract) but he is really important to your team. We like to celebrate those on Fridays as we name game captains every game.”
“So, it gives me a day to talk about that player. I get to celebrate that player for three days (Fri-Sun), whoever that is.”
No wonder Commanders players love to play for Dan Quinn.
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