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New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Commanders OTA practice features a ‘little bit thicker' version of Jayden Daniels
ASHBURN, Va. — How does Jayden Daniels follow one of the most powerful rookie seasons in NFL history? Get stronger. 'Put on a little muscle, huh? Yeah, for sure,' said center Tyler Biadasz, one of the blockers tasked with protecting the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback. 'He said what he was going to do, and he did it.' Advertisement Let's be clear: Daniels will never be confused physically with quarterback behemoths like reigning MVP Josh Allen or Cam Newton, even if the 210-pounder's arms appeared a smidge bulkier on Wednesday at the start of organized team activities. The coaching staff did not demand that the Southern California native spend his offseason lifting weights at Los Angeles' famed Muscle Beach. Still, fans were abuzz on social media about a potentially swole Daniels. The always even-keeled quarterback smiled when asked about his fitness regimen. 'I was just in the weight room working out,' said a smiling Daniels. 'You always try to improve in different areas, but I don't know what to say. I'll let people talk about it.' spot the difference — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 22, 2025 Tack on this hefty topic to constant chatter surrounding last season's breakout star. With Daniels under center, the Commanders finished with a 12-5 regular-season record before reaching the NFC Championship Game following road playoff victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Washington had not won as many as 12 games or reached the conference championship since the 1991 season. Expectations for the quarterback and the team now start at the contender level. For coach Dan Quinn, that does not change Washington's mentality. 'We're always the hunters,' Quinn said. Last season's fifth-highest scoring offense (28.5 points per game) won't surprise anyone this coming campaign. Daniels, the runaway winner of the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year award, finished with 3,568 passing yards, a 69.0 completion percentage, 25 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. The dual-threat also rushed for six touchdowns and 891 rushing yards. The latter set a new rookie quarterback record, breaking the mark set by former Washington starter Robert Griffin III in 2012. The game-breaking mobility is why nobody wants Daniels jacked up, even if his 6-foot-4 frame makes an inviting target for defenders with bad intentions. Considering how frequently he runs into football traffic or faces pass rushers racing his way, adding muscle would benefit Daniels. Though still listed by the team at 210 pounds, by the eye test, mission accomplished, right? Advertisement 'I think he's still pretty lean,' offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. 'But he's definitely worked really hard on his fitness and (in the) weight room. … I (bet) that he's a little bit thicker than he was.' Washington's decision-makers beefed up help around Daniels. The Commanders sent three draft picks to the Houston Texans for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers and selected University of Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. Two Day 3 selections, speedy receiver Jaylin Lane and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, could have roles this season. 'Those are good additions that we brought in,' Daniels said of his likely new tackle pairing. 'You have to trust (general manager Adam Peters) with everything that is going on.' Samuel watched Daniels' historic arrival from the West Coast. The excitement for the yards-after-catch force has only increased since working with his new teammate for two to three months. 'I feel the man can make every throw,' said Samuel, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection looking to bounce back after a trying 2024 season. 'He's comfortable. He knows what's going on. He knows where the ball needs to go. I think he's very smart.' Daniels' throws in 7-on-7 drills were sharp, though expected kinks existed. He overthrew an open Samuel on one deep shot, and interceptions on consecutive plays went on his unofficial ledger. One on-target pass ricocheted off the hands of wide receiver Michael Gallup with a defensive back there for the turnover. The next toss, also to Gallup, was caught by second-round cornerback Trey Amos after the two bumped over the middle, causing Gallup to fall. Daniels later completed crisp passes to wide receiver Noah Brown and tight end John Bates during a two-minute drill. These early sessions — Week 1 is 99 days away as of Wednesday — are about 'getting on the same page with the guys,' Daniels said. 'There are some guys that played with me last year, some new guys, trying to get them up to speed. Teach them how I see it through my lenses.' the way he throw so tuff — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 28, 2025 Daniels, 24, rarely takes a mental or physical break from football. Despite significant demands for his time and attention, the admitted introvert maintained focus in the offseason. 'It was fun just to sit back and reflect and figure out how I'm going to move throughout this offseason and move forward,' Daniels said. 'Other than that, just living life, still working and training.' Setting the work-first attitude isn't lost on his head coach. 'He's an amazing teammate,' Quinn said of Daniels. 'The amount of work that he puts in that goes unseen here to get ready to play, to learn it, to teach others to, you know, connect the guys that's going through. There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels.' Advertisement • Wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed recent offseason work during Phase 3, including Wednesday's practice session. The 2024 second-team All-Pro and 2026 free agent is seeking a new contract extension after setting a career high with 13 touchdown receptions. Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. Peters keeps Quinn 'up to date' on contract matters, and the relentless optimist maintains a positive attitude despite not working with a full roster. 'The offseason's been excellent,' Quinn said. 'I've been in touch with every guy on the team. I've really enjoyed this time.' McLaurin, Daniels' top target, was with the team earlier in the offseason program. The two also built outstanding chemistry last season. 'Me and Terry have a good relationship outside of football. He has to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything, the fact that he is part of our brotherhood,' Daniels said. 'We know Terry is working and everything. We have to get better, and he knows he has to get better each and every day.' • The controversial tush push perfected by the rival Philadelphia Eagles remains legal following a vote at last week's league meetings. Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu became the defender most associated with unsuccessfully attempting to stymie Philadelphia in the NFC championship by drawing penalties for twice diving over linemen with the ball outside the Commanders' goal line. The attempts turned Washington's top returning sacker into a social media meme. From now on, there's little funny about blunting the Eagles' highly successful play. 'We just got to stop it,' Luvu said. Frankie Luvu on the 'Tush Push' sticking around… #Commanders #Eagles — Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 28, 2025 • Washington's bevy of punt return candidates was joined at practice by one of the best to take on the job, Brian Mitchell. Quinn asked Mitchell, who has over 19,000 combined return yards, to spend time with the returners. 'Couldn't think of a more ideal person to share some insights and ideas about returning,' Quinn said. Mitchell, a college quarterback who never returned punts or kicks until reaching the NFL, ranks second to Jerry Rice in all-purpose yards in league history. • Quinn did not offer a recovery timeline for right guard Sam Cosmi but said the lineman is 'hitting all the markers that he's supposed to' with his rehabilitation following ACL surgery in January. Cosmi, Washington's longest-tenured offensive lineman, suffered the knee injury in the Commanders' divisional-round win over the Lions. Andrew Wylie and Nate Herbig are among the replacement options.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
These college programs have the most alumni on NFL conference championship rosters
Wisconsin doesn't boast the quantity of NFL talent that leads Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State to their annual position as national championship contenders. One list provides that context. Alabama entered the 2024 NFL season with 77 alumni on active rosters. It was followed by Ohio State (66), LSU (65), Michigan (63), Georgia (62), Notre Dame (52), Penn State (49), Washington (47), Oklahoma (46) and Florida (43). Wisconsin, meanwhile, sat tied for 22nd with 32 alumni in the league. Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2024 season Those counts describe each program's success at the college level. It shouldn't surprise anyone that a direct correlation exists between NFL talent and on-field winning. While Wisconsin is far from national title contention, and far from those listed alumni totals, it does fit into a special category of NFL success: The Badgers are one of just nine programs in college football with at least five program alumni set to play on NFL conference championship Sunday. Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio State, and Illinois each boast five players, Penn State has six, Florida has seven, Georgia and Alabama have eight, and Oklahoma leads the way with nine. Next level 💯💯 RT if your school has 5 or more players on an active NFL Roster this weekend 🔥 — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 25, 2025 One translation: While Wisconsin doesn't produce the same number of NFL products that other programs do, the Badgers that do make it go on to become some of the best at their position. Former Badgers set to play on Sunday are Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders), Michael Deiter (Commanders), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles), David Edwards (Buffalo Bills) and Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs). Biadasz has been one of the NFL's most steady centers over the past decade, first with Dallas and now with Washington. Deiter is a well-established backup in the league. Baun was a first-team All-Pro selection after a career-best year. Edwards is off one of the best seasons of his six-year career. Chenal, finally, is one of the more important members of a defense that has led the Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl titles. That group doesn't even include NFL-best pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Andrew Van Ginkel, or running back Jonathan Taylor. Wisconsin doesn't often sent quarterbacks, wide receivers or cornerbacks to the next level. Those who have seen the Badgers play over the last two decades may understand why. That said, a football fan would be hard-pressed to find a program with a better collection of players at linebacker, running back and offensive line. Those five former Badgers leading teams into the conference championship round further proves that reality. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
