ASHBURN, Va. — One of the biggest announcements from Tuesday’s Commanders training camp came during the morning press conference when Coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Jayden Daniels is the starting quarterback for the upcoming preseason game against the New York Jets.
While Daniels is firmly stepping into the main quarterback role, he’s only one of the rookie quarterbacks on the roster this year. Another standout rookie generating a lot of excitement, both on and off the field, is Sam Hartman.
“You know it’s all new for a lot of us rookies,” said Hartman as he was leaving practice. “I’m excited for any opportunity. Coach wants us to compete in everything we do, so competing for me might be watching and learning and it might be getting out there and playing.”
After the draft, Hartman was signed as a priority free agent and he’s competing to be the Commander’s third-string quarterback.
Hartman says his relationship with Daniels is strong and considers him like a brother. He says he is trying to be there for his teammates as they prepare to work in the season ahead.
“It’s lonely at the top as they say, and I think as a team we’re trying to get to the top and you’re looking at the guy who’s hopefully going to lead us to that place,” Hartman said of Daniels.
Hartman and Daniels worked out together in the off-season, building a strong friendship which Hartman says made his transition onto the team feel easier.
“Just being there for each other and relieving some of the pressure, it’s a constant push and pull and I’m just trying to help him as much as I can,” said Hartman.
The preseason will be huge for Hartman and the other rookies as they look to solidify their permanent place on the team. Hartman says he will continue to put in the work.
“You’re always trying to be the best version of yourself, I’m just open to doing whatever it takes to help this team succeed- and we focus a lot on competing and being the best version of ourselves,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether the Commanders will keep Hartman on at the number three spot. Daniels is shoring up number one, and Marcus Mariotta has a hold on second, so all eyes will be on Hartman to see how he performs in the preseason matchups.
Also happening during Day 10 of training camp, a pair of legends were out in Ashburn. Melba Jacobson is a Commanders Super Fan! She came out to celebrate her 100th birthday with the team that she has been dedicated to and the team didn’t disappoint. They rolled out a big cake and a personalized “100” jersey in her honor.
Jacobsen says she’s really excited about how the team is coming together but she has one request:
“They’ve got good players, they’ve got good coaches, now just bring me a Super Bowl!”
No pressure right?
Jaconse says her favorite player of all time is former Quarterback Joe Theismann.
The other legend out at camp on Tuesday was former player Darrell Green. He brought 200 kids from underserved communities in Partnership with DC’s Housing Authority. The kids were able to watch practice and even do meet and greets with the players.
“Everything they’re doing is stimulus, it's stimulating their mind- it’s creating hope and creating ideas and that’s what I do without being the smartest guy in the world, I think we just have to give these kids a shot,” said Green
And the kids were loving their day out at Camp Commanders!
Tristan Fielder was out enjoying the morning with his friends, he says watching the players scrimmage is his favorite part.
“I’m out here for the Commanders so we can watch them practice and see what they can do once the season starts,” said Fielder.