The heartfelt advice fueling Commanders breakout hopeful as hype surges

The Washington Commanders are a close-knit squad. Everyone is on the same page and pulling in the same direction in pursuit of one common goal. And the veterans have no trouble lending their support to fledgling stars looking for increased responsibilities.

One piece of heartfelt advice is fueling a potential breakout candidate for bigger and better things. And based on the early results at training camp, it's having the desired effect.

Washington is giving second-year defensive back Tyler Owens all he can handle over the early stages of camp. The former undrafted free agent is getting first-team reps in the nickel and at the safety spot. He doesn't look out of place, which bodes well for his chances of additional involvement in 2025.

Tyler Owens leaning on Commanders veterans in pursuit of increased role in 2025

Owens isn't shy when it comes to seeking advice from those with far more NFL experience. Jeremy Reaves is among them, and the All-Pro special teamer lifted the lid on the industry secrets he's passed on to his teammate this offseason.

Man, just slow down, take a deep breath. Understanding that football is the same concept at all levels, it's just spoken differently, and it's done a little differently, is important, but football is football. You're a heck of a player; you're a freak athlete. Let that do the work for you. If you train your mind, your body will follow, so I just tell him that and he's getting more and more of an understanding. Now he's just going out there and playing, so I'm excited for him because I've seen the growth, and that's the most important part of it.Jeremy Reaves via Commanders.com

The Texas Tech product has been all ears, and he's putting these tidbits to good use. Owens looks more comfortable in the defensive scheme. He's always had exceptional athleticism, but the Commanders are starting to see more from the player now that the game is slowing down for him.

This is a massive positive from Owens' perspective. He emerged as a training camp star last summer en route to making the 53-man roster. An injury stunted his progress, but the flashes on special teams and being around the squad should serve him well in Year 2.

What comes next is down to Owens. He's giving himself a fighting chance of being a bigger part of Joe Whitt Jr.'s strategy this season. And if he achieves this objective, one couldn't dismiss the possibility of him becoming a long-term piece of Washington's defensive puzzle.

Owens has every athletic intangible needed to be successful. And having such a strong veteran support system is only helping his cause.

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