Commanders OTA practice features a ‘little bit thicker’ version of Jayden Daniels

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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.”

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 pic.twitter.com/sVbddOfQD1

— 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?

“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 pic.twitter.com/h0TcolpRKh

— 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.”

Other OTA notes

• 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 pic.twitter.com/07FeA2EgsP

— 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.

(Photo: Nick Wass / Associated Press)

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