Commanders, Dan Quinn setting the tone on Day 1 of OTAs: 'We are always the hunters'

ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn didn’t take a breath, cut back a snap or lessen the tempo during the team’s first practice since the NFC Championship Game.

It’s always go time.

“We are always the hunters,” Quinn said. “We’ve got a lot to prove. We’re going after it. The hunter is a mindset. That doesn’t change.”

No wonder quarterback Jayden Daniels went deep on third down during his two-minute drill in April 28 practice. He wanted the same walk-off experience that won five games last season.

Unfortunately, the pass sailed over his corner end zone target. Oh well, it’s a new year.

The vibe during Quinn’s first season that lifted a sad-sack franchise to 14-6 in 2024 and ended one game short of the Super Bowl is still there. In fact, it’s now contagious. The team established an identity of intense practices like an opening footwork drill that sees everyone screaming. They’re not cutting back now.

Instead, players and coach spoke of creating an identity and want newcomers to adjust to them.

“Keep the brotherhood, keep the standards,” center Tyler Biadasz said.

The 90-minute sessions saw no wasted time. If players weren’t replicating the Hail Mary drill that beat Chicago last season, then Daniels was working a bad snap drill by even catching one left handed.

Former Washington coach Marty Schottenheimer used to tell cornerback Darrell Green in his 19^th season that everyone needed to practice. So, tight end Zac Ertz was out there after 168 games, 775 catches and 8,088 yards. Ertz worked on his base alignment even after 12 years in the NFL. Soon, he was faking a move and heading for a pass. From old veterans to second-year passer Daniels, everyone was starting over.

“You have to keep proving yourself,” Daniels said.

Quinn was pleased with Daniels, who was picked off once by Jeremy Reaves jumping a route that saw the defense hollering as they collectively headed to the end zone. The defense gets a little tired of being beaten by Daniels in practice – even calling a timeout during one drill to reset its alignment. It worked, neutralizing the first throw for no gain and the second sailing incomplete.

“There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels,” Quinn said. “He and his teammates put in a long of teamwork together. Excellent in terms of the attitude of the guys. You can sense when people are going for it.”

Yet, Quinn promised surprises in the offense in coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s second season. Some new thoughts while sharpening old plays.

“There’s a lot of the playbook people haven’t seen,” Quinn said.

Day 1 showed one constant, though. The hunters are on the move once again.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.