Dan Quinn plans to expand Commanders' contender culture

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than half of the 53-man roster in Washington is eligible for free agency, which makes maintaining the team's identity a top priority for second-year head coach Dan Quinn.

"Culture is how we get down every day: that's the identity of our team, our behaviors, our habits," Quinn said. "I wanted to make sure that type of identity and team, we could do that, but it had to be through the team. Because you put something on the wall, doesn't mean that's who you are. It's how you live and how you get down. The play style. The identity."

Quinn led a 10-win turnaround of the Commanders, who played in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. Along with general manager Adam Peters, the charge this offseason is vastly different than it was a year ago. Quinn's purpose is largely the same this week.

"At the very front of the line, man, are we looking for the competitive spirit in a player," Quinn said. "Guys who absolutely love ball. They're willing to show that connection with their teammates. Some of that shows up in meetings like it does here -- leadership, tell me some examples."

No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels and the rookie class helped turn "hope into belief" in the second half of the 2024 season, when Quinn saw his team begin to peak. He credits Daniels with not being a rookie but a leader chasing constant improvement. He said Daniels will have specific areas of improvement the team wants to work on, but Quinn said he knows the quarterback carries a "never arrived" mentality to being a pro.

Washington stepped out of rebuilding mode and into contention in the NFC East, closing as runner-up to the Philadelphia Eagles in the division and conference. Given the noted success in roster-building, Philadelphia isn't likely to fade in the race in 2025.

Quinn is determined to continue elevating the Commanders by leaning on the same principles that guided the first steps in 2024.

"We had a helluva draft class. We're looking forward to following up on that this year," Quinn said. "Especially now that we know who we are even more clearly. Our rookies played real time and had significant roles for us last season. We counted on them as teammates not as rookies."

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media