Washington Commanders camp heats up on July 25 as Jayden Daniels hits Deebo Samuel for a TD. See how Daniels' leap and Von Miller's arrival are shaping the team.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Ashburn air was electric on Friday as the Commanders' offense provided a glimpse of its explosive potential. Franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, looking sharper than ever, capped an impressive 11-on-11 session by launching a perfect 25-yard touchdown strike to new star receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. It was the kind of play that validates offseason hype and signals a powerful connection is brewing in Washington.
It was extremely intentional coming here.
Head coach Dan Quinn has been praising Jayden Daniels' rapid development, and today we saw exactly what he meant. Daniels' work on his footwork was evident, as he displayed improved accuracy and decisive decision-making against complex defensive looks. 'My key focus this offseason was improving my footwork to be more accurate on throws,' Daniels stated after practice. The touchdown to Deebo was the highlight, but his overall command of the offense is what has the coaching staff buzzing. He's not just a second-year player; he's looking like the leader of a team with championship aspirations.
On the other side of the ball, a new force is making his presence felt. Future Hall of Famer Von Miller, donning No. 24, explained his decision to come to Washington was 'extremely intentional.' His commitment is already on display, as he's been a menace in pass-rush drills and a mentor to the younger guys. In one of the day's most compelling matchups, Miller went head-to-head with rookie tackle Josh Conerly Jr. While Miller used a powerful bull rush to drive the rookie back on one rep, Conerly held his own on subsequent attempts—a valuable 'welcome to the NFL' moment. Coach Quinn emphasized the signing, stating, 'We're not for everybody,' underscoring that Miller's leadership is exactly what this team needs to build its desired culture.
All this camp excitement isn't happening in a vacuum. The Commanders enter 2025 as the betting favorites to win the NFC East, with sportsbooks setting their win total between 10 and 12 games. This follows a successful 12-win campaign last season, and the pressure is on to not just repeat that success, but build on it. The journey begins with a Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, a game analysts are already flagging as a potential 'trap game.' With the target on their back, Washington can't afford a slow start if they want to live up to their billing as the class of the division.
The pieces are in place. A developing star quarterback, a dynamic new weapon, and a legendary veteran presence are all clicking just days into training camp. The energy in Ashburn is palpable, but the team knows the real test begins against the Giants. Friday was a powerful reminder of the team's potential, and now the Commanders must carry this momentum forward and prove that their 'intentional' roster construction can lead them to an NFC East crown and beyond.
