Jayden Daniels has one of the top-selling jerseys in the NFL. The rookie quarterback isn’t too focused on how many Washington Commanders fans are now wearing his name and No. 5.
“I appreciate them,” Daniels said, “but I haven’t even really paid attention to that.”
Daniels and his teammates are saying the right things and trying to ignore the excitement they’ve created with the franchise’s first 4-1 start since 2008. But it’s clear that the Commanders have brought a level of hope that hasn’t been seen in a long time.
“When you’re winning, it just creates a little bit more fire in you,” third-year cornerback Benjamin St-Juste said Wednesday. “Winning just puts a little extra smile on your face when you come here because we have the potential to do something great here.”
Washington has not had a winning season since 2016. Daniels is seen as the brightest hope at the quarterback position since Robert Griffin III in 2012.
That’s when Stephen Boyd became a season-ticket holder. He’s cautious about believing that this time is different.
“It’s like we’re going up the escalator, but I keep looking back because I know what was behind me and I’m afraid, ‘Will I fall off? Can we keep going?’”
said Boyd, who hasn’t missed a home or away game in the last decade and is known for hosting fan rallies on the road. “I keep looking back even though I want to just continue to look up. But the past still haunts me.”
Dan Quinn, in his first year as coach, hasn’t experienced that past, and when asked about that mindset earlier this week, he found it hard to understand.
“Boy, I don’t think of it in that way at all,” Quinn said Monday. “For those who are thinking the other way, I’d say it’s 2024, so let’s just enjoy these guys and have fun.”
Ted Abela, a season-ticket holder since 2001, believes “football is fun again” and “being a Washington fan is fun again.” He’s noticed more fellow fans at games in Commanders gear recently than in the past, and the line at the stadium store showed it after a 34-13 win against the Cleveland Browns.
He’s willing to believe in this season because he thinks this type of winning is sustainable and enjoyable, and no one is counting on an undefeated record for a long shot playoff run.
“Now, they’re actually winning games ahead of schedule, and it almost feels like we’re playing with house money,” said Abela, who is known among fans as “Tailgate Ted” for his pregame gatherings. “The way Jayden’s winning, the way this team is winning, people are back.”
Quinn mentioned that he had the best view during the last weekend, seeing fans return after years of losing. Players who have experienced some tough times are enjoying being on the winning side for a change.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” seventh-year defensive tackle Daron Payne said. “Just being with the guys and being able to enjoy the locker room after the games, it’s been fun.”
Daniels, who is now a favorite for offensive rookie of the year, is having a great time. Five games into his professional career, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 draft pick said, “I love playing football, and it makes it even better when you’re winning football games.”
Nick Allegretti, like Daniels and many others on the team, is new to Washington, so he can’t comment on the past struggles of the organization.
However, he remembers his rookie year in Kansas City in 2019 when the Chiefs had just come off an overtime loss in the AFC championship game, which led to three Super Bowl appearances over five years.
“There’s a drive,” Allegretti said. “Guys, they don’t want to go back to that. They’re hungry. 4-1’s great, but nobody ever makes the playoffs with four wins. So that hunger, that pain from not having success you’ve wanted in the past, it feels similar.”
Safety Quan Martin believes the Commanders are “just scratching the surface.” This Sunday, they will visit the Baltimore Ravens, which will be a significant test, and winning that game is what Boyd thinks would help ease his worries about the future.
Regardless of the outcome, players are preparing for a long season and hope to keep surprising everyone with their performance.
