Washington Commanders OTAs Day 1 Notebook: Jayden Daniels impresses, and there's a new energy in the air
After a disasterous 2025 season, the Commanders are looking to turn the page, and they're off to a great start with OTAs feeling much different than the past.
The Washington Commanders kicked off OTAs on Wednesday, and it was one of the most eventful practices we could’ve imagined with a lot to talk about.
Social media was flooded with coverage and videos of Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ practice, and just like that, we’re back into football mode.
I also had Abdullah Konte with WINSports on my YouTube channel to talk about practice, and everything he saw, and there are already a ton of storylines I’m locked in for.
Jayden Daniels is LOCKED IN
Jayden Daniels is going into a critical 2026 season after an injury-riddled season last year, and he has a lot of new changes to navigate through. The biggest change is his offensive coordinator, David Blough, although he already had Blough as his QB coach.
Blough’s scheme will call for Daniels going under center more than he ever has in his career, but he’s killing it already. WR Jalyin Lane said that Daniels looked like the “founder of the offense”, and he looked very comfortable under center already, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
Speaking of looks, Jayden Daniels does look noticeably bigger, especially in his upper body. Abdullah Konte said on the show that Jayden’s arm looked great, and throws were popping out with intent. It’s early, and they haven’t been in pads yet, but Daniels looks ready for a major redemption season in 2026.
Terry McLaurin stands out at practice
Last offseason, Terry McLaurin was the biggest storyline with his contract holdout, which dragged into the very end of the offseason. His absence loomed large for a struggling WR room, and we saw the results once the season started.
McLaurin also suffered a quad injury that knocked him out for the majority of the season, and 2026 is his most important season yet. Abdullah talked about how much McLaurin stood out at practice on Wednesday, and that was one of his biggest takeaways.
Terry looked in great shape and was moving incredibly well. We saw a ton of WR drills, and reports are that McLaurin is in season form and ready to go.
Rookie WR Antonio Williams looks the part
Speaking of WRs, it’s been nothing but high praise for rookie Antonio Williams. We knew the offensive scheme would fit his playing style well, but he already looks like a comfortable vet.
His route running and understanding of the offense are well ahead of schedule, and Williams will be a major target for Daniels in 2026. Veteran QB Marcus Mariota called Williams a “sponge” and said that his feel for his routes is impressive for a rookie.
A welcoming surprise at OTAs for the Commanders
We expected just about everyone to show up for OTAs, minus LT Laremy Tunsil, who always does his own training until mandatory minicamp. Well, Tunsil wasted no time, and he was present for the first OTAs practice, which was a pleasant surprise.
Tunsil being present showed that the entire team is locked in right now. He didn’t have to show up, and he usually doesn’t, and he clearly performs as one of the best in the league every season with his routine, but he was there, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Yes, he was paid this offseason, but this is more than that. You can tell these guys want to bounce back from last season, and Tunsil is one of the leaders on the team, and he takes pride in that.
Tunsil’s second season in Washington will be just as important as Daniels and McLaurin's, and he already looks well in shape and ready for the season to kick off, and it’s not even June.
Other standouts on offense
RT Josh Conerly Jr. is going into his second season in the NFL, and he looks noticeably bigger and stronger, which was the biggest thing he had to work on this offseason. Conerly Jr. looked the part as a rookie, and his sophomore jump should be impactful.
RB Bill Croskey-Merritt didn’t practice today, but Kaytron Allen looked great and even showed off his hands in the receiving game.
TE Chig Okonkwo continues to show that he will be a receiving threat that Washington hasn’t had at the position in a while. There were a couple of drills where Okonkwo went into motion, and even ran some more complex routes for a TE, like a Whip route, and looked incredibly smooth and crisp.
Nick Allegretti took the majority of snaps at center and looks comfortable as the guy already.
The defensive side of the ball was just as noticeable at practice, and there were a lot of takeaways with many changes and new faces in town.