We're just a few days away from the Washington Commanders reporting to Ashburn, Virginia, for training camp, and it's time we got to know the roster a little better.
The Commanders outperformed expectations in the first year with general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn at the helm. Jayden Daniels put together one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in NFL history, and the team was one game away from appearing in the Super Bowl.
Now, with more primetime games on the horizon and a much higher standard to reach, the Commanders must prepare for an encore performance. Like last year, that work will begin in training camp, and Commanders.com has been looking at every position ahead of the first practice day on July 23. We're wrapping things up with the quarterbacks.
On the roster
- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
- Sam Hartman
- Josh Johnson
What to watch
- What's next for Daniels? The Commanders obviously struck gold when they took Daniels last year. He broke records, added stability to a position that lacked it for decades and took the team to the NFC Championship. Daniels performed so far above average that some analysts are predicting him to experience the dreaded "sophomore slump," meaning he is going to show some type of regression as a professional player. There is some logic behind the belief that Daniels' stats won't be as exceptional as they were during his rookie year, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will regress as a player. He looked sharp during OTAs and minicamp, and his work ethic is still as impressive as it was in 2024. Sure, defenses are going to be more prepared for his skill set, but the poise and strong foundation in his mechanics are not going to simply disappear. As long as Daniels' approach stays the same, then he should be primed for another strong season.
- How will Daniels perform against tougher competition? Every NFL defense is difficult, but there's no denying that this year's season has more challenges in store for Daniels. The Commanders will face five teams who had top 10 defenses in 2024, and that includes seeing the Philadelphia Eagles twice. What's more, teams like the New York Giants, who ranked near the bottom of the league last season, have upgraded their personnel. Daniels will face some of the best pass-rushing groups in the NFL. Seven of the Commanders' opponents finished with top 10 rankings in total sacks. Washington had this in mind during the offseason, which is why it strengthened its offensive line with Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. Daniels was also one of the most sacked quarterbacks last season, and if Washington hopes to replicate the success from 2024, it will need to help Daniels get that number down.
- How many quarterbacks will the Commanders keep? The Commanders kept three quarterbacks on the roster while placing Hartman on the practice squad, and it seems like they might do the same thing in 2025. The only new face is Johnson, who has been part of multiple teams across several leagues and has experience in a plethora of offensive schemes. Johnson is not a bad emergency option, but his real value goes back to Daniels' development. The Commanders spoke often about how pivotal the quarterback room was to getting Daniels up to speed during his rookie year. In addition to the coaches on staff who have experience in developing quarterbacks, the room itself took a collaborative approach to game plans and offered their expertise to Daniels before every game. It might not seem as important as other position battles on the roster, but it's one the Commanders certainly care about.
