A Season of Change for the Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are experiencing a transformation this training camp and preseason, marked by an influx of new players and a virtually overhauled coaching staff. The arrival of Dan Quinn as the new head coach, complemented by fresh offensive and defensive coordinators, has injected a renewed sense of purpose into the team.
This season, the Commanders have embraced an innovative practice structure that seeks to maximize player performance. They've also rethought the logistics of where players reside, ensuring they are in optimal conditions for training and recovery. Among the most notable changes is the introduction of an initiative known as "Tell the Truth Monday."
The Introduction of "Tell the Truth Monday"
"Tell the Truth Monday" was implemented shortly after the Commanders' narrow 20-17 preseason loss to the New York Jets. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive review of both the team's successes and areas that need improvement. Head coach Dan Quinn explained its importance: "It was good to tell the truth Monday—this is what we learned, this is what we need to do heading into this week."
Quinn's straightforward approach has been met with a mix of anticipation and introspection. He added, "Don't harden your heart to the corrections."
Offensive lineman Mason Brooks encapsulated the dual nature of "Tell the Truth Monday." "Tell the Truth is good and bad. There's high points—like your rookie quarterback making a check like that—and there's low points, like guys missing assignments and coming up short. Obviously, when you don't win the game, it's a little bit more serious of a 'Tell the Truth Monday' than if you come out with a win."
Despite the challenging nature of these sessions, there's a palpable sense of forward momentum. "You just have to take things in stride the best that you can. When you're working in uncharted or new territory, there's a lot of new experiences for you to have. I think the important thing is just to keep moving forward the best that you can," Brooks said.
Rookie Performances and Injury Updates
The preseason game against the Jets provided valuable playing time for several rookies. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels played one drive but made it count. Leading an audible, Daniels threw a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown and capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Another standout was rookie Ben Sinnott, who notched three receptions for 57 yards. Despite the impressive individual performances, Sinnott acknowledges there's room for collective improvement. "We still got a lot of stuff to improve on. I think the big thing that we kind of heard—the 'truth'—just being able to finish that game, make the plays that we need. We had a three-and-out, penalty on our last drive to go and take the lead, so just things we need to clean up, pre-snap errors, that kind of stuff that we can clean up and hopefully take our game to the next level."
Injuries have also impacted the Commanders during the preseason. Tackles Brandon Coleman (shoulder/pectoral), Andrew Wylie (tightness), and Cornelius Lucas (personal) sat out the game against the Jets. This led to an array of players stepping up, with six different athletes lining up at tackle, including Mason Brooks, Chris Paul, and Braeden Daniels. Brooks logged 34 of his team-high 53 snaps at left tackle.
Additionally, rookies like Johnny Newton (foot), Jordan Magee (knee), and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are dealing with their own setbacks. Despite their injuries, Newton and Magee are expected to contribute sooner rather than later, softening the blow of their current absences.
Looking Forward
As the preseason progresses, the film tape will continually reveal the team’s performance highs and lows. The Washington Commanders are navigating a time of significant transformation and embracing the challenges with a forward-thinking mindset. Coach Dan Quinn and his staff are focused on building a cohesive team that learns from its past to forge a promising future.
In a season of change and heightened expectations, all eyes will be on how this newly restructured team performs as they aim to rise above their past and carve out a successful path forward.