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an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can the Commanders repeat their 2024 success in 2025?
The Washington Commanders' success in 2024 was a surprise to 95% of the NFL and those who watch football. They won 12 games for the first time in over 30 years and reached the NFC Championship during a year when everyone thought they would be rebuilding. But Adam Peters had ideas; he swapped draft picks for players and signed veteran free agents to support his rookie quarterback. The success this team had was unforeseen, which is part of the reason that many do not think they can do it again. Begging the question, can the Commanders repeat last season's success? One CBS Sports analyst doesn't think so. The Commanders won a surprising 12 games in the regular season, making the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 1991. There was a catch in last season's success, however, as they had the most wins when tied or trailing in the final 10 seconds of regulation since 2000 (six) and tied for the second-most wins by six-or-fewer points in a season all-time (including playoffs) with six. Washington won seven games on the final play last season. This isn't sustainable, right? The Commanders fought all the way to the end of games, but can't bank on late-game comebacks every week. A significantly tougher schedule (on paper) won't help matters, either. Don't be fooled: the Commanders are still a good team; they just won't benefit from last-second success every week to make a deep playoff run again. Advertisement So, because the schedule is more difficult, and many of last season's games were won on last-second plays, the author doesn't think they will be able to win games at the last minute. It's an interesting assumption given that the Commanders have added to the offensive line, added skill players, and improved their defense. It's as if some of these analysts forget that there are new additions to this team and that every team will look different from season to season due to player personnel changes. Some teams have more consistency than others, but for the most part, there are always new faces on a football team, and you never know which player simply needed a specific environment to thrive. Will Washington win 12 games again in 2025? Don't put it past them. But the goal is to make the postseason, so even if they don't win 12 games, as long as they have a path to the Super Bowl, it's still a successful season. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Can the Commanders repeat their 2024 success in 2025?
Hamilton Spectator
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know,' Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. 'I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator , has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room,' Kingsbury said. 'He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want,' Daniels said. 'It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia , Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?' center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it.' Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great,' coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' No McLaurin Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story,' Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. 'I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football,' Daniels said. 'He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___ AP NFL:
28-05-2025
- Sport
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. -- Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know," Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. "I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator, has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room," Kingsbury said. "He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want," Daniels said. "It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?" center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it." Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great," coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story," Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. "I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football," Daniels said. "He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___
San Francisco Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know," Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. "I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator, has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room," Kingsbury said. "He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want," Daniels said. "It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?" center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it." Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great," coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. ... There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' No McLaurin Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story," Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. "I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football," Daniels said. "He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.'
Winnipeg Free Press
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bulked up Jayden Daniels looks to have put on weight coming off rookie season with the Commanders
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels evades the topic as if he's an oncoming pass rusher and ducks away from the questions as if he's avoiding a sack. It sure looks as if the Washington Commanders' franchise quarterback has bulked up, adding some muscle after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season. He just won't say how much and insists it was not a particular mission of his. 'That's up for grabs — I don't know,' Daniels said Wednesday after an offseason practice session. 'I was just working out. It wasn't about this amount or much. Just go out there, have a plan and naturally just put on weight.' Daniels is happy to let others talk about his weight, and that extends to his teammates and coaches. They notice, chalking it up to him being a competitor looking to gain another edge. Kliff Kingsbury, back for a second season as offensive coordinator, has not seen what Daniels is lifting but observes the 24-year-old looking a little thicker. 'He's still pretty lean, but he's definitely worked really hard at his fitness and the weight room,' Kingsbury said. 'He knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing. But the arm strength: He looks better, and you can tell he's stronger. There's no doubt.' That wasn't a message from the coaching staff coming off Daniels leading the way in Washington exceeding all expectations to make the playoffs and go on an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Kingsbury wanted Daniels to get some rest rather than rush back into preparing for his second professional season. Easier said than done. A year since being the second pick in the draft and going through an entirely new process, he took some time to reflect and adjusted his priorities. 'You just have so much time and freedom to kind of do what you want,' Daniels said. 'It was difficult trying to navigate that, but you on lean on people closest to you and obviously you've got to keep the end goal in mind. You're trying to get better each and every day, and you're trying to progress each and every season, each and every month and snap.' Part of getting better was absolutely getting some more upper-body heft — especially given Daniels' penchant to escape the pocket and run for big gains and given reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Giants have no shortage of bruising defenders ready to hit him. 'Put on a little muscle, huh?' center Tyler Biadasz said. 'For sure. He said what he was going to do, and he did it.' Daniels upon arriving in Washington developed the reputation as a player who arrives early to the team facility and stays late. No one around the Commanders anticipates that will change now that he may be a few pounds heavier. 'I haven't gotten like side by side in the mirror or anything, but he's doing great,' coach Dan Quinn said. 'You can sense when people are going for it, and he's certainly one that is. … There is no flinch in Jayden Daniels. He is as focused and relentless as you could (be) about getting better.' No McLaurin Trade pickup Deebo Samuel was in attendance for organized team activities Wednesday, but fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin was not around for the voluntary stage of offseason workouts after taking part in mandatory sessions recently. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were also absent. McLaurin's camp is believed to be discussing a new contract with general manager Adam Peters. McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is only signed through next season. 'I understand the business side of the things, and when he stopped coming I understand his side of the story,' Samuel said. 'I just not try to get bothered with it and just let him deal with it on his own and just kind of handle it on his own.' Quinn said he has been in touch with every player, plus Peters to see if there are any extension updates. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Those guys have been excellent in terms of the communication with me,' Quinn said. 'I can speak to Terry, specifically: He's having a great offseason.' No one seems to be worried about McLaurin. Certainly not his QB. 'Me and Terry got a good relationship outside of football,' Daniels said. 'He's got to handle what he has to handle, but that doesn't change anything with the fact that he's a part of our brotherhood. We know Terry's working and everything, so we got to get better and he knows he's got to get better each and every day.' ___ AP NFL:
