Photo by John McDonnell/ for The Washington Post via Getty Images
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confers with quarterback Jayden Daniels in the late in the fourth quarter during the Cowboys' defeat of the Commaders 34-26 at the Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD on November 24, 2024. (Photo by John McDonnell/ for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders enter the 2025 season with something they have not carried in years: sky-high expectations. After a magical 2024 campaign that reignited the fan base and restored national respect, the Commanders now face the challenge of proving it was not a one-year wonder. Head coach Dan Quinn has made it clear that his approach will not change just because the outside noise has grown louder.
“Yeah, we really do not look too far ahead, and we have to stay that way,” Quinn said after a recent practice this week. “It is not that you have blinders on, I get that, and the expectations of things really come from the outside. But if we are really going to be who we want to be, we are the ones that have to challenge ourselves to see how far we can take it or how high our standards can go. That is practice habits, that is technique, that is skill, that is a mindset, that is an attitude.”
Quinn stressed that the Commanders cannot fast-forward to January or assume they are destined for another playoff run. Instead, he wants his team to embrace the journey. “If we have to think that the season does not begin until January, we will miss it,” Quinn said. “We throw it one week at a time, and I know that is super cliché, but we really do try to live that way.”
The message is clear: the Commanders will not let the weight of expectations derail the process that helped them succeed in 2024. With a divisional matchup waiting right out of the gate, Quinn reminded his players that they will need to fight for every yard. “When you play a division game, you are ready to get down right off the bat,” he said.
Daniels Embraces the Challenge Without Added Pressure
For quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2025 season is another opportunity to grow, not a reason to feel pressure. Daniels dazzled as a rookie, giving Washington fans hope that the franchise has finally found its long-term answer at quarterback. Now, with more eyes watching, Daniels insists his mindset has not changed.
“Nah, me personally, no. Not at all,” Daniels said when asked if last season adds more pressure. “You still gotta go out there, prove each and every year. People could have expectations, they could say you could do this or hope you fail and do that. I mean, it really does not matter. At the end of the day, it is what the pressure you give is on yourself to go out there and you prepare the right way, you give yourself the best chance of success.”
That perspective echoes the leadership style Quinn has preached since arriving in Washington. Daniels’ ability to block out distractions and focus on preparation reflects maturity beyond his years, and it gives the Commanders confidence that their young star is built for the spotlight.
Building on a Magical 2024 Season
The Commanders’ resurgence last season captured the attention of the NFL. With a blend of youthful energy and disciplined coaching, Washington became one of the league’s best stories. Now comes the hard part: sustaining that success when every opponent is preparing for them and every fan expects results.
Quinn and Daniels have set the tone by rejecting the outside pressure and keeping the focus inward. They understand that expectations are earned, not given, and that the same habits that fueled last year’s breakthrough will be even more critical this season.
The Commanders are not looking ahead to January. They are focused on today, on practice, on preparation, and on starting strong in a division that promises tight battles every week. If they stay grounded in that mindset, Washington can turn its magical 2024 into the foundation of something even greater in 2025.