Latest news with #DanQuinn
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Lions WR said Detroit would have beat Commanders if healthy
No one expected the Washington Commanders to compete for a playoff spot in the 2024 season. It was the first season of a "recalibration," as head coach Dan Quinn called it. There was a new general manager, a new coaching staff, a rookie quarterback and over 50% of the roster turned over. Washington shocked everyone, going 12-5 and advancing to the NFC championship game one year after finishing 4-13. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was phenomenal as a rookie, looking like a 10-year veteran and one of the best players in the NFL, leading his team to an unforgettable season. One of the more shocking moments came in the NFC Divisional Round, when the Commanders shocked the top-seeded Lions on the road in front of a sold-out Detroit crowd. It wasn't a nailbiter either, as Washington won 45-31. One member of last year's Detroit team said that Washington would not have won that game if the Lions had been healthy. Here's veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson talking to the Woodward Sports Network about that game and last season. Robinson appeared in 12 games last season, catching three passes for 30 yards. He is currently a free agent. On one hand, Robinson is not wrong. That result could have been different if players like Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were healthy. On the other hand, it's the NFL. No teams are fully healthy in January. Ultimately, the Lions had no answer for Daniels, and Washington's defense forced four Jared Goff turnovers in the upset win. Last season was definitely disappointing for the Lions. They had arguably the NFL's top roster, a star-studded coaching staff, home-field advantage and didn't even make it to the NFC championship game.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dan Quinn Thrilled With Commanders' Mindset
Dan Quinn Thrilled With Commanders' Mindset originally appeared on Athlon Sports. How does a team build off a surprise run to the conference championship? By coming back even hungrier than ever for the following offseason. Advertisement The Washington Commanders were the feel-good story of 2024 in the NFL. They increased their win total by eight games from the previous season and reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time in over 30 years. Led by Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels at quarterback, Washington's future seems as bright as ever in the last few decades. The goal now is to find sustained success along the way. That is something head coach Dan Quinn has been trying to push this offseason. Luckily for him, the roster is just as hungry as he is to return to the playoffs in 2025. "I love that we came back in really hungry to prove it," Quinn said during minicamp. "And that's, I think, a good sign as opposed to letting your skills go down or your eye not as sharp or those things. Advertisement "So, to come in with things specific to work on to go get better, that was big for me. And then to see people begin who were here year one to help the first-year players now, first-year free agents, first-year rookies, get up to speed." Washington has plenty of talent to get back to the postseason this year. With another year of development for Daniels, the Commanders may be the class of the NFC this season. Needless to say, the team's mindset is among the first things established in training camp. According to Quinn, the Commanders are already there. Now, Washington will have the opportunity to make good on last season's optimism. Related: Laremy Tunsil Excited About Commanders' Culture Related: Commanders Slap Back at Deebo 'Haters And Losers on 'Fat' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders TE Prepared for Increased Role with Two-Word Proclamation
Commanders TE Prepared for Increased Role with Two-Word Proclamation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If you were a rookie last season on the Washington Commanders, it wasn't hard for you to be outshined by the eventual Offensive Rookie of the Year in quarterback Jayden Daniels. There were multiple impactful rookies for first-year head coach Dan Quinn, but none of them got nearly as much pub as Daniels. Advertisement Cornerback Mike Sainristil and offensive tackle Brandon Coleman each had solid debuts that pin them as potential long-term starters. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton was another player who showed promise in his limited action. Second-round tight end Ben Sinnott, however, was largely forgotten about in the offense. His rookie season didn't see a lot of opportunity because of the situation he was drafted into. He was third on the depth chart behind reliable veteran Zach Ertz and John Bates, who many believe is the best blocking tight end in the game. Looking ahead to 2025, those two may still be ahead of Sinnott in the pecking order, but there's a chance for a much greater role this year for the Kansas State product. Advertisement With what he credits as a "full offseason", Sinnott is prepared for whatever his sophomore season holds. "One that got an offseason, one that is a lot more confident and much more comfortable ... you kind of get thrown into the fire a little bit your rookie year," Sinnott said about what his second year has looked like. "You're learning your teammates, your coaches, your offense, so going into this year getting a full offseason, getting my body back, knowing the offense and already having that chemistry built. So, just one that is ready to get better and hopefully a big role on this team." Comfortable and confident are the keywords to gauge Sinnott with this season. With one year of contending experience under his belt, he's expected to make a big jump and contribute to that team success this season. That could bode well for his future on the depth chart in Washington. Advertisement Ertz - Sinnott's main competition in pass-catching spots - was re-signed on a one-year contract. But with Ertz now 35 years old, the 22-year-old Sinnott's chance to be handed the reins of the starting tight end position could be nearing. He'll be comfortable and confident when that moment comes. Related: Commanders Predicted To Trade All-Pro Terry McLaurin as 'Easy Fit' Related: Commanders' 'Worst-Case Scenario' Has Jayden Daniels Flavor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Trade for Lattimore in 2024 Followed By Brutally Honest Admission
Commanders Trade for Lattimore in 2024 Followed By Brutally Honest Admission originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders have gotten a lot of credit for loading up on offense with that as the focal point to build a contender around Jayden Daniels. Advertisement Trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil headlined an aggressive offseason that has the team positioned to compete for the NFC title for the second straight week. We haven't seen those acquisitions work yet. But there is optimism. But here's a reminder thaqt general manager Adam Peters has pushed to add defensive help, too. The Commanders last year, needing help in the secondary, traded for four-time Pro Bowl defensive back Marshon Lattimore. Remember? The problem ... or why it might be a bad memory? Lattimore was dealing with injury issues that limited to only two games with his new team last season. Advertisement Coach Dan Quinn this week said there are "no restrictions'' for Lattimore going forward ... and the player himself is being brutally honest about the biggest thing he is working to overcome since moving here from the Saints. ... Admitting he 'felt a little timid'' last year. Oh. That's not good. "I was dealing with a hamstring, and that takes a lot out of you,'' he said, looking back. "It takes a long time to heal. I was just trying to battle through that. But now, since I got a full offseason, I feel explosive.'' Lattimore, heading into this season, needs the mental and the physical to all come together. Washington's success in 2025 - on defense - might depend on it. Related: Niners Urged To Trade Brandon Aiyuk For Pro Bowl Receiver This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Aim To Keep Narrow Focus Amid High Expectations
Commanders Aim To Keep Narrow Focus Amid High Expectations originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders will enter the 2025 season with expectations as high as they have been in recent memory. Advertisement After Jayden Daniels took this franchise to a 12-5 season and NFC Championship game, it is natural to think the team can continue its ascension. Plus, with new arrivals in Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders have loaded up for a genuine Super Bowl tilt. But if we know anything about Dan Quinn, it's that he doesn't let the outside noise infiltrate his locker room, and for Tunsil, he knows the franchise simply has to tune out what's being said about them. 'We can't worry about what the media is saying, what everybody's saying about us,' Tunsil said via JP Finlay. 'We going to win these many games or we this type of team, we just got to put the work in and stay consistent, I think that's the biggest thing for us.' Sep 15, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball against New York Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons (19) during the first quarter at Commanders Field© Peter Casey-Imagn Images Tunsil went through a similar situation with C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans in 2023, when Stroud burst onto the scene, and we saw the regression last year, so the five-time Pro Bowler knows the pitfalls that could accompany his new team. Advertisement But the Commanders, with Quinn and Daniels keeping things on the straight and narrow, or as Dan likes to say, staying off the emotional rollercoaster, Washington will keep its focus on the controllables. Yes, it's early in the offseason, and most believe the Commanders will be a playoff team at the very least in 2025, while others think a Lombardi Trophy is on the horizon. But the franchise won't be drinking its own bath water. In fact, Tunsil will make sure they won't. Related: Commanders Rival Gives Love To Jayden Daniels Related: Commanders Laud Forgotten Skill of New Receiver This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
