How does a team build off a surprise run to the conference championship? By coming back even hungrier than ever for the following offseason.
The Washington Commanders were the feel-good story of 2024 in the NFL. They increased their win total by eight games from the previous season and reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time in over 30 years.
Led by Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels at quarterback, Washington's future seems as bright as ever in the last few decades.
The goal now is to find sustained success along the way.
That is something head coach Dan Quinn has been trying to push this offseason. Luckily for him, the roster is just as hungry as he is to return to the playoffs in 2025.
"I love that we came back in really hungry to prove it," Quinn said during minicamp. "And that's, I think, a good sign as opposed to letting your skills go down or your eye not as sharp or those things.
"So, to come in with things specific to work on to go get better, that was big for me. And then to see people begin who were here year one to help the first-year players now, first-year free agents, first-year rookies, get up to speed."
Washington has plenty of talent to get back to the postseason this year. With another year of development for Daniels, the Commanders may be the class of the NFC this season.
Needless to say, the team's mindset is among the first things established in training camp. According to Quinn, the Commanders are already there. Now, Washington will have the opportunity to make good on last season's optimism.