ASHBURN, Va. — The Commanders hired Adam Peters as their general manager in January, Dan Quinn as head coach in February and took Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick at the NFL Draft in April. The wait is almost over to see what months of hard work will look like on the game field. Nobody is more excited to be back on the sidelines than new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
“Football, when football is going on, I can be corny, but it is better for this country when football is going on and I believe that," said Whitt Jr. "It brings the right and the left together. It brings the North and the South, everybody comes together for football. It’s the best team sport.”
The Commanders say they have the pieces to be successful, that includes Daniels, but just like his progression as a pro, this team says they’re not expecting to roll into this weekend with a finished product.
"I’ve got a great foundation, base. Obviously, the plan will be tweaked week to week, it’s not going to be a final product," said Daniels. "Later down the season, that’s when everything will kind of be set in stone of the routine and stuff like that. Not just me, but the coaching staff. Everybody’s new together so we’re all still trying to get a feel for each other.”
“You’ve just got to know this is a process and a journey and there’s a lot of new guys playing together for the first time, that’s no excuse as to why we can’t execute at a high level, but I just feel like we have to take what the defense gives us, but also be ready to make the plays down the field," said wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders defense is hoping to take a big step after a 2023 campaign that saw them rank dead last in the league in points and yards allowed.
Former Pro-Bowler, Jonathan Allen, says he’s not going to over-promise and under-deliver going into this year, but feels he’s ready to lead his guys in Tampa after sitting out all three preseason games.
"Even though I haven’t been in a game, I still think going against the Jets and going against the Dolphins and going against our offensive line has really prepared me for this game on Sunday," said Allen.
The Commanders head coach also named Clelin Ferrell, Jeremy Reaves and Terry McLaurin week one captains. Quinn says captains will rotate throughout the season.
"I think the three of them really represented who we are, how we get down and that’s why I selected them for our first game," said Quinn. "I think Jeremy, he brings a lot to everyone in our building and just his energy, his support of that. I thought for Clelin, the word came to mind of like, this guy is a warrior, and everybody knows what the tape is going to look like when it’s out there. It’s tough, you guys have all seen that. And then with Terry, I thought, this is a hungry guy. A real pro’s pro and can’t wait to see him do his thing."