Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn made a declaration during his press conference ahead of the team’s rookie minicamp on Friday.
Since Quinn was hired in 2024, he has stressed culture and brotherhood. The players bought in immediately. In 2024, the Commanders shocked everyone, going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship game. Things fell apart last year, though, as Washington limped to a 5-12 finish.
Despite such a disappointing season, players remained all-in for Quinn. However, this offseason, general manager Adam Peters has made many changes, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. The changes began in January, when the Commanders parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
On Friday, Quinn was asked about implementing Washington’s culture with the rookie class this weekend. His answer was interesting and refreshingly honest.
“I think it should get tested, you know, to find where your mettle is when you have a season that goes well and then one that just went terribly,” Quinn responded. “You want to dig in, you want to find answers, you want to make sure you can tweak things that need to be tweaked. But one thing that I know to be a fact, like there’s some real competitors in this locker room and the standards they have as ball players and teammates, those are the things that help you get to where you want to get to get to.”
It’s rare to hear a coach acknowledge a season that had gone so “terribly.” These days, coaches are one bad season away from the hot seat at all times. Quinn didn’t run from it. The Commanders were terrible in 2025.
Injuries played a part in Washington’s demise last season. But it was more than that. Much of the good luck the Commanders had on their side in 2024 went the other way last year. That’s not to say injuries didn’t play a significant part. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games with three separate injuries.
Fortunately, Daniels is healthy now, and the Commanders hope and believe that their active offseason, coupled with a healthy Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, will get them back on track in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn’s one word to describe 2025 season