Commanders Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn and Zach Ertz on why CULTURE is the difference in DC

Summary

Scoop City: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn & Zach Ertz on Why CULTURE Is the Difference in D.C.

Scoop City | The Athletic | August 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Scoop City dives into the Washington Commanders' evolving culture and what makes the team special in 2025. The Athletic’s NFL insiders speak directly with quarterback Jayden Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn, and tight end Zach Ertz about the end of training camp, team culture, veteran leadership, roster additions, and aspirations for the new season. The main focus: how culture, connection, and leadership differentiate this Commanders squad as they target a breakthrough in the NFC.

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Key Topics and Insights

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1. Jayden Daniels: Entering Year 2 as the Commanders’ QB

Training Camp Reflections & Terry McLaurin’s Absence

• Jayden celebrates finishing training camp:

  "Summer's behind you now means football season here... I'm excited to go out there and get ready for week one."
  — Jayden Daniels (02:31)

• On optimism about McLaurin’s contract situation:

  "I just know that it's all going to work out, that both sides will come to agreement and Terry's gonna be back out here. We're gonna be throwing some passes to him."
  — Jayden Daniels (03:13)

Connecting with Veterans

• Jayden’s ability to integrate with older teammates:

  "I think they like being around me because I keep them young... They are old, but I keep them young."
  — Jayden Daniels (03:55)

• On explaining generational slang and trends:

  "I'll be having to tell them, like, 'nobody says that anymore.'"
  — Jayden Daniels (04:26)

Relationship with OC Cliff Kingsbury

• Both maintain a quiet but competitive nature:

  "Me and Cliff are both quiet but super competitive."
  — Jayden Daniels (05:01)

• On the playbook’s depth:

  "Cliff's the only one that kind of knows that... we're daily putting in new things and new stuff to get ready for the new year."
  — Jayden Daniels (05:54)

Growth from Rookie to Now

• Jayden feels much more comfortable in year two:

  "That's kind of the thing that you learn throughout each year... Last year I was still learning... Now I kind of [embrace] the role that I am in."
  — Jayden Daniels (06:10)

Playful “Camp Awards”

• Most Improved: Mikey Sanders, for receiver coverage and IQ (06:45)
• Biggest Hustlers: The whole O-line room (07:08)
• Biggest Complainer: Zach Ertz (07:23, playfully)
• Self-Award: "Funniest person." (07:37)
  (Coach Quinn later disputes this, labeling Jayden “up there” for hardest working.)

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2. Dan Quinn: Building Culture and Embracing Veterans

Onboarding New Talent, Maintaining ‘Magic’

• Praises competitive energy in camp—“where you make who you can be.” (09:52)
• Emphasizes recruiting players who are "excellent in the locker room first" (10:35):

  “Adding quality ball players, but even better dudes, that makes the whole thing go. That's been very cool to see.”

Value of Veteran Leadership

• Discusses why the Commanders add and rely upon older, proven players:

  "We need them here first to play. Make no mistake... But they also add value that maybe doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Their standards, their insights, their teammates kind of grows things so much faster."
  — Dan Quinn (11:28)

His Special Skill: Relationship-Building

• On what makes him a “culture coach”:

  "I think it's important that you get to know the man before the ball player. If you can find out their why... that helps."
  — Dan Quinn (12:18)

Lessons and Growth as a Coach

• On becoming better through adversity:

  "You don't really know how things are going to go until you hit the adversity... Last year it was losing three games in a row... But that's when you really become even stronger, more resilient."
  — Dan Quinn (13:01)

• Highlights Bobby Wagner’s role in galvanizing the team during tough moments (13:29)

Unique Team Identity

• Explains the importance of a tight, connected locker room with “tough love” and serious accountability:

  "The best teams I've been a part of were... really good in the locker room first. They wanted to push each other... They absolutely love one another."
  — Dan Quinn (14:03)

On Terry McLaurin’s Situation

• Expresses optimism and transparency:

  "When two good people are working together, usually some things work out, and I have faith that that will happen."
  — Dan Quinn (15:06)

• On player readiness: “They [McLaurin and Daniels] have many banked hours together... I have full faith that that will take place.” (16:14)

Team Awards and Leadership

• Jayden Daniels' camp “award”—Coach says:

  "He absolutely puts it in... Beats most of us to the office in the morning. That smile is a wolf in sheep's clothing—he is an absolute dog competitor."
  — Dan Quinn (16:43)

• Locker-room leadership is self-policed, not “top-down,” echoing Andy Reid’s philosophy (18:26)

Coach Quinn’s Pet Peeve

• "People that are not authentic... That's a pet peeve of mine. Just tell me like it is. Don’t need any BS about it."
  — Dan Quinn (20:13)

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3. Zach Ertz: The Elder Statesman’s Perspective

Finishing Training Camp

• Calls it “bittersweet” with roster cuts looming, but is “excited with where we’re at.” (23:57)

Assessment of Offense and Roster Additions

• Praises Deebo Samuel for versatility and Laremy Tunsil for stabilizing the offensive line:

  "Deebo's consistency as a pro every day has been phenomenal... Laremy, bringing a guy like him in where you don't even have to worry about helping him, is going to be a game changer."
  — Zach Ertz (25:16)

Offensive Line Impact

• Strong O-line enables expanded passing game and flexibility for receivers (25:48)

On Jayden Daniels’ Growth

• "Jaden is phenomenal... But he's taken the next step behind the scenes of just leading this team, taking ownership, holding us to his standard." (26:37)
• On what makes Jayden special:

  "He has no ego, which is so rare for a guy with his draft status... His ability to just relate to everyone, joke around with everyone—doesn't view himself as anything different than just being one of the guys."
  — Zach Ertz (27:49)

• Praises his eagerness to learn from vets (28:09)

Opening Up Cliff Kingsbury’s Playbook

• More versatility, more customization to player strengths:

  "Playbook is more open because you have a guy like Jaden who can kind of do everything instead of just a pocket passer or a running quarterback."
  — Zach Ertz (28:40)

Making the Next Step—Super Bowl Or Bust

• Stresses the need to treat this year as fresh, not a continuation:

  "30 plus roster turnover... You gotta earn it each and every single week."
  — Zach Ertz (29:43)

• Keys in on turnover margin as the priority after last year’s playoff loss (29:34)

Terry McLaurin’s Absence

• It’s not a distraction, the team is ready for his return at any time:

  "We have all the confidence in the world that whenever he's out there, he's going to be who we all know he is, but it's not a distraction for us by any means."
  — Zach Ertz (30:26)

A Podcaster-in-the-Making?

• Ertz jokes about maybe podcasting and quips about Giants’ preparation, praising their coach Brian Daboll (32:31)

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Notable Quotes

• Jayden Daniels on working with vets:
  “I think they like being around me because I keep them young… they are old, but I keep them young.” (03:55)

• Dan Quinn on authentic leadership:
  “You get to know the man before the ball player. If you can find out their why… that helps.” (12:18)

• Zach Ertz on Jayden Daniels:
  “His ability to just relate to everyone… doesn't view himself as anything different than just being one of the guys… that really resonates with the guys.” (27:49)

• Dan Quinn on adversity:
  “You don’t really know how things are going to go until you hit the adversity… But that’s when you really become even stronger, even tougher, more resilient.” (13:01)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• Jayden Daniels Interview: 02:21–07:42
• Dan Quinn Interview: 09:27–21:09
• Zach Ertz Interview: 23:57–33:16

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Tone

The conversations throughout the episode are candid, upbeat, and occasionally playful, with a strong focus on mutual respect, leadership, and team chemistry. The hosts tease, joke, and probe for honest answers—especially about locker-room culture and accountability.

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Summary Takeaway

The Commanders’ 2025 identity is built on veteran wisdom, new energy from leaders like Jayden Daniels, a head coach who prizes personal connections, and a philosophy that “culture beats scheme.” This episode showcases the blend of talent, attitude, and trust that makes D.C. believe 2025 could be their year.

Transcript

[Matt]

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[Podcast Host]

All right, back here on Scoop City with commander starting quarterback G Jaden Daniels. Finally we can say it. Training camp is officially over.

[Jaden Daniels]

Officially done.

[Podcast Host]

What does that feel like? To just know that it's just the.

[Jaden Daniels]

Summer'S behind you now means football season here, so I'm excited to go out there and get ready for week one.

[Podcast Host]

How do you gauge what this offense is going to be when we know that you've been missing your big piece in Terry McLaurin? Like, how do you actually feel right now, just a few days out from the start of the year?

[Jaden Daniels]

I'm excited. I think just the continuity that we have on the office and another year in the system for a lot of guys, so we kind of know the little nuances of things and how Cliff's going to cause stuff and like the continuity that we have on the offensive side of Boston. I'm excited.

[Podcast Host]

Everyone feels optimistic that Terry's coming back. I saw him out on the field. It just. There's a feeling this is going to work out.

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Do you still feel really good that you're going to get your guy?

[Jaden Daniels]

Oh, 100%. I feel great. I feel great.

[Podcast Host]

Why do you feel so good about it?

[Jaden Daniels]

I just know that it's all going to work out, that both sides will come to agreement and Terry's going to be back out here. We're going to be throwing some passes to him.

[Podcast Host]

All right, so that's Terry and he's. And he's staying quiet on the sideline, but Bobby Wagner will not stop hollering at you. This team is made up of a lot of older guys, a lot of vets, yet you have no problem connecting with them. How are you able to do such a good job of connecting with the older guys, young guys, defensive guys. What is it about you? What's that quality in you?

[Jaden Daniels]

That's a great question. I think you got to ask the them personally, but I think I like to. We have a lot of older guys or old guys. I wouldn't say older. They're very old in the locker room, but I think they like, like being around me. Cuz I keep them young.

[Podcast Host]

You keep them young? I was going to say, I don't know if they like you calling them old, but they are old.

[Jaden Daniels]

They are old, but I keep them young.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Have you ever had any moments with them where you're, like, talking about something that is, like, obvious. Obvious to you?

[Jaden Daniels]

Thousand percent.

[Podcast Host]

And they're like, wait, so, like, what's the last thing that you can recall you had to explain that. You're like, this is embarrassing. How do you not know this?

[Jaden Daniels]

I think it was like. Or farming. Like, you know, all the stuff that nowadays, like our generation using that be the main thing. Bobby said y generation.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Jaden Daniels]

So we had to explain stuff. And Bobby has. Bobby has a family. So sometimes. What does this mean? Or what does that mean? I'll be having to tell them, like, nobody says that anymore.

[Podcast Host]

Like, hey, man, I don't even know what that means, man. I know there's gonna be a time, I think, when Bobby's kids get older, where he's gonna have to call you, I'm sure, and be like, okay, how do I deal with this? Because I have no idea what's going on. You know, in terms of just Cliff and you, you guys give me the best part of your relationship. Like, when you describe you and Cliff, what do you love about it?

[Jaden Daniels]

Silence. I think Lucy Silent Assassin. Me and Cliff are both quiet but super competitive.

[Zach Ertz]

Yes, super competitive.

[Podcast Host]

He is way more competitive. I think that people realize.

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah, exactly.

[Podcast Host]

Because he's got such. And he hides it in his face. He's not pucker face. You are. You're right. I never thought about that. That you guys are very similar with the way you control. I mean, I know he can be fiery, but you control your emotions really well.

[Jaden Daniels]

You don't like all that yelling and nothing, but when he has to, he'll let us know.

[Zach Ertz]

But.

[Jaden Daniels]

But he doesn't like to do all that so much.

[Podcast Host]

Talk about this playbook that you guys only just did, you know, we'll call it a quarter of the playbook of what he wants you to do. How much have you opened up? Do you feel like you guys are doing new stuff?

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah, 100%. I think we're putting in stuff each and every day. But then again, it's Cliff's. I don't know. Cliff's maximum playbook.

[Podcast Host]

You're like, you're not sure how far this goes exactly.

[Jaden Daniels]

I don't know. So Cliff's the only one that kind of knows that. But I feel like we're daily. That we're putting in new things and new stuff to get ready for the new year.

[Podcast Host]

Every time I see you, I always tell you that I love looking back at or at least reflecting on when I saw you in New Jersey at camp last year. It was your rookie year. How different is this camp for you, at least headed into your second year compared to your first? Like, do you look back at that time like, well, yeah, maybe I didn't know that much.

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah, 100. I think that's. That's kind of the thing that you learn throughout each year in the. In this league is you got to learn something new about yourself every year. So last year I was still learning how to just go through training camp, practice and stuff like that. Now I kind of the role that I am and I'm embracing it, stepping into that. And even now, I mean, year two in the system, it kind of helped out a lot.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, quick camp grades and then you're out of here. Okay, ready? Most improved. Who was like bringing something this year where you're like, all right, most improved.

[Jaden Daniels]

I would probably say for me, Mikey Sanders.

[Podcast Host]

Still. What'd you like about him?

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah, I mean, just I always thought that he was always thing but I don't think he got the recognition that he deserved last year. But his IQ and just how he challenges receivers and stuff like that.

[Podcast Host]

So I'll say Mikey, biggest hustler who is always hustling.

[Jaden Daniels]

The whole o line room.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Jaden Daniels]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That's not a bad place to start the hustle for you. For protection. You guys have upgraded in that position. Who's the complainer? Because like I see you guys walking out.

[Jaden Daniels]

Complainer.

[Podcast Host]

There's always that one person, like they may be good on the field, but before practice he's going to be mad.

[Jaden Daniels]

I said this, but Zach hurts.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I could see that. Well, he's doing all that extra work.

[Jaden Daniels]

So that's why he's probably going to.

[Podcast Host]

Be mad I said, what title would you give you for this camp? You are. What on the commanders this year?

[Jaden Daniels]

The funniest person.

[Podcast Host]

The funniest person. I don't believe you.

[Dan Quinn]

I am.

[Podcast Host]

All right, Jane, thank you so much for hanging out with us here in scoops of good luck. Stay healthy. We're rooting for your hunter.

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[Matt]

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[Podcast Host]

All right, back here on Scoop City with Commander's head coach, Dan Quinn. My favorite person from the state of New Jersey. You're the only person who speaks my language.

[Dan Quinn]

That is correct.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to D.C. yes, DC, a place I spent many years as well. So this. This is just my joy to just be here and be around you. And it's so joyful to be around a team. Training camp is over. Yes. You made it. What's the best way you would describe your team after. After this summer?

[Dan Quinn]

Going into it, I knew there'd be a lot of competition, and so I thought, could they really push one another to level up? And that's what I saw a lot of. And so how do you onboard the newest guys, the Tunsils and Debos and others that are now part of this group. Connerlys. And so I like the individual battles that take place at training camp. It's really where you make who you can be. It's the one on ones. It's all the stuff that goes into it. So I like the toughness of the team and the way they battle against one another to get ready.

[Podcast Host]

What's the hardest part about having these additions to a team that had some magic to it? Like, you guys are fantastic last year and now you have added pieces that are, that are, I would assume, excellent for your offense and for your defense. How has that transition been for them?

[Dan Quinn]

Yeah, fortunately for, like, Adam, his team and like bringing people in, like, we want to be excellent in the locker room first, and there are some excellent leaders and emerging leaders here. So to have that be a really important part of who we are and how we want to get down. So adding quality ball players, but even better dudes that makes the whole thing go. And so that's been very cool to see. Not onboarding, but just the merging of everybody together.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I was just talking to Jayden about that because he does such a good job of connecting his words, not mine, with the old guys.

[Dan Quinn]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

You know, he likes to make sure everyone knows that they are old.

[Dan Quinn]

Yes, he does.

[Podcast Host]

And that is really unique about your team. You know, a lot of general managers and head coaches that are constructing a roster often avoid the older players for obvious reasons. You embrace that. What is it about older players that you want? Why you want them here?

[Dan Quinn]

Yeah, and I think a guy like Wagner or Ertz or Von Miller as the example, we need them here first to play. Like, make no mistake, they're here to play. But they also add value that maybe doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Their standards, their insights that they're able to share with their teammates kind of grows things so much faster. So our team, our locker room, our standards are better because of them. And so as big brothers, they've passed that on. And now there's more leaders that emerge here because of them. And so, yeah, we're really fortunate to have guys like that.

[Podcast Host]

You have such a great reputation around the league as being someone that can establish a strong culture. What do you think it is about you personally that makes you so good at bringing men together?

[Dan Quinn]

I think it's important that you get to know the man before the ball player. And if you can find out their why, knowing, you know, why is this game so important? Why is the connecting of, you know, other players so important? That helps. And it takes some trust to do that. But if you get to know somebody's why and who they are, what they're playing for, that helps and then you can hopefully take them further. And we have really high standards here and we're going to push the guys to meet them. But I think getting to know the person before the player, that helps a lot.

[Podcast Host]

This obviously isn't your first head coaching job, so you've been in this role before, but this is going to be your second season as the head coach of the Commanders. Just for you. Where do you think you're better right now from even when you started here?

[Dan Quinn]

I think it's those relationships that we were just talking about because. Because now we're one year in and the coaching staff as well of like, you don't really know how things are going to go until you hit the adversity, things are going to go bad for us. Last year it was losing Three games in a row. And you know how hard that is in the NFL. That feels like three months. But that's when you really become even stronger, even tougher, more resilient. And if you make it through the other side of those, there's some real cool things on the backside of that. That happened to be, for us, a day that Wagner had stood up and said, hey, these are some standards and things. And that galvanized, I think, the team in some ways, but it sucks when you're going through moments like that. But I also recognize, like, you have to go through the hard things together to get to the other side, because.

[Podcast Host]

You'Ve been with so many different teams, even just as an assistant and working your way from college to the NFL and being around this game for so long. How is this team different from what you've known, from all the teams that you've been a part of? How would you describe them?

[Dan Quinn]

The best teams I've been a part of were, like, really good in the locker room first. Like, they cared about one another. They wanted to push each other, like, a little bit of an element of tough love. Like, man, like, we're going. And we're going to go battle each other, but, like, they absolutely love one another. So I love how connected the team is, and our practice is. Habits are strong. And so when you put them through, like, a day like today, situation after situation after situation, and they're ready to respond and go to the next one, that's what I look for. And so if you're connected, you got a chance, but you still have to put in the work like you have to. And so out here on the field, that's where it has to go down.

[Podcast Host]

Every blade of grass out here on the practice field is the amount of questions that you've gotten about Terry McLaren this summer. And I know that it's. It's never an easy question to answer, because we don't have any answers yet. Talking to your quarterback and other people here, it's just. It seems like everyone seems optimistic about it. Obviously, nothing's done yet. How do you feel about now, just a few days out from the start of the season without having your best receiver?

[Dan Quinn]

Yeah, we are optimistic around here. We look at things that way, but we also know, like, at this time of year, there's moving parts, and, like, we get that. We'd much rather be up front with the players, players and say, hey, these are some things that are going on as opposed to not telling them. That's part of being a brotherhood like, this is what's happening. This is where we're at. And I'd rather them hear information from myself or Adam than outside our walls. And so I do know that when two good people are working together, usually some things work out, and I have faith that that will happen, too.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And if that's the messaging, just knowing that there's. It sounds like a good chance that he could come back and be in a commander's uniform. What do you think this is going to do for this offense that went through a whole summer of practice without him?

[Dan Quinn]

Yeah. Good news is, like, Terry's a real pro. And so I know that, you know, the work to get ready, the connection to do that, I have full faith that that will take place. Also good news, he and Jaden do have, you know, quite a few banked hours together. So that's an important piece to it. Had they never worked together, I would been very much stressed.

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Dan Quinn]

The fact that they have had many hours out here, as I was referring to on the practice field, that specific timing that only a quarterback and a receiver can get to, that's not lost on me. Like, I know how many banked hours they have.

[Podcast Host]

All right. Camp awards. Is Jaden two? I asked him what award he would get because I wasn't sure where he'd fall, and he said funniest. Is he the funniest player on the team or is he just trying to sell something that's not real?

[Dan Quinn]

To me, he is. I would put him in the conversation for the hardest working on the team. Like, he absolutely puts it in. In a very sneaky way that he beats most of us to the office in the morning. So I think that's smile like is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Like, he is a absolute dog competitor. So I don't know if he's the funniest, but I would say he's up there for, like, this dude puts it in as a worker.

[Podcast Host]

You know how we hear about the great quarterbacks and the ones that are really talented, that they have these just maniacal schedules and the attention to detail. I don't hear that much about Jaden and his schedule. And what is he like when it comes to. To.

[Dan Quinn]

He is very much an early morning person and would rather go through everything to, you know, before anybody even gets here, you know, like, well, before the sun comes up. There's been times looking out in the weight room and, like, who's walking off the field in the dark is him. And so, like, this a guy that puts it in At a high level. But that's a standard that the other players have also appreciated from him. Because early on, okay, for year, is that going to stay? Is he going to continue to do that? Then training camp, is that going to stay in season? And they found out like, he has got a high capacity to like, put it in, and so they respect that. And guys like Wagner who are cut from the same cloth, they have bonded in that space too. Like, you're here at 5 o' clock in the morning as well, you know, so like, early on there was a connection that wasn't force. That just happened because of, you know, surrounding each other. So who wouldn't want Wags as a big brother to like, teach? No, do this after the game. This is how you do recovery. So it's been pretty cool.

[Podcast Host]

You always hear from the great organizations that they say, like Andy Reid said to us last year, talking about his locker room, that he doesn't really police it because it's on the guys, because they've built that. And it sounds based on the type of guys that you have here, you're on the similar path of just, you don't have to do all of that because these guys are holding each other accountable.

[Dan Quinn]

I agree with Andy. I think early on in my career and I don't know if he feels the same, I felt like leadership was always me leading it, always be. And like, what I've since found is it's also really developing the leaders here and identifying who can be and when. Your locker room has a number of really strong leaders. You're right, it does. Standards, police, whatever that word is. But it allows for a high performing group to like, lead the way.

[Podcast Host]

What award are you giving yourself? Since I put Jaden the spot?

[Dan Quinn]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

What are we gonna give you?

[Dan Quinn]

I don't know. It's a good one.

[Podcast Host]

Were you. Were you really locked in this series? Were you most improved? Did you feel like you got better at coaching as you dealt with the heat? How'd you deal with it? It was hot down here.

[Dan Quinn]

We did have a hot one. We had to move it early.

[Podcast Host]

Who was the weatherman? Around here, there's always that one person that loves to tell you what the weather is going to be. Do you have one of those?

[Dan Quinn]

We have a few of those and night before, so. But we did have a few that it got so much that we say, fellas, you got to be here by 7 tomorrow. We're going out on the field right after that. And so that's when you like, honestly, as a coach when everybody's here by that time, like getting ready to go, like, you know, you're in a good space.

[Podcast Host]

We've been given, we've been asking every coach that we visited with things that, that bother them about their team. But I don't want to talk to you about that. I want to talk to you about. Do you have anything in life outside football that just nags at you that bugs you? Mike Vrabel hates that people park in handicap spots who are not handicapped. Another coach, he doesn't like that he has to change the passwords to his computer often.

[Zach Ertz]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Is there anything outside life when you're not actually working all the time where you're like this, this really bugs me.

[Dan Quinn]

Oh, man, that's a good one. I would say, like, I think people that are not authentic. In other words, I'm staying here and then I leave and you say, dan, he's a real jerk, but in front of you, they're one way, another way there's someone else. So I think people that are not that are like tricky of who they are. Yeah, that's a pet peeve of mine. Like, hey man, just be who you are all the time.

[Podcast Host]

Phony baloneys.

[Dan Quinn]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Dan Quinn]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

You know what that's called? It's the anti New Jersey. Because people from New Jersey, what you see is what you get. You like it or not.

[Dan Quinn]

So I think that's a pet peeve, man. Just tell me like it is. Don't you know? Yeah, I don't need any, any BS about it.

[Podcast Host]

Especially with dealing with what you need to do. Right. We're all going to achieve if you just be straight about it. All right, well, we're. We'll be straight with you. We've got all the belief and confidence in the world that you guys are going to make it back and go deep. So good luck to you. I hope the team stays healthy, I hope it all works out and thank you so much for hanging out with us here in Spook City.

[Dan Quinn]

All right, welcome back to D.C. good to.

[Matt]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Zach Ertz]

Yeah, it's fun. I mean, honestly, it's bittersweet to a certain extent. Obviously cuts are kind of around the corner so you don't really. It's fun to think about the games coming up, but it's also like the whole hardest week in the NFL for a lot of guys. So excited to cheer them on on Saturday, but also getting looking forward to week one coming up. Can't believe it's first game. First official NFL game is two weeks from today.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Does it like, did this go fast? Was it a fast camp for you or did you just feel like this was a slog?

[Zach Ertz]

A little bit of both. You know, it's like the days are short or the days are long, camp is short sort of thing where it's like, oh, but at the end of the day, I thought it was a great camp. We're in a good spot. So excited with where we're at.

[Podcast Host]

It's hard to. It doesn't matter how many joint practices you have, how many times you guys are practicing against each other. It's really hard to gauge where you're at. But just based on all the experience you have and all the teams you play with and what you know, what would you say? I'm assuming there's some room for improvement, of course. But this offense, how would you describe it right now?

[Zach Ertz]

I like where we're at. Obviously we're missing a couple guys from the skill position group, but I loved what Deebo's brought in. His consistency as a pro every day has been phenomenal. To get to know him and just see his game, you know, from. From afar. When he was in at his previous spot, it was his reputation was kind of doing one thing great.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Zach Ertz]

But you don't realize his versatility. If he can run, he truly is a really good wide receiver. He can run the whole route. Tree is really competitive when the ball is in the air, really tough to bring down. Obviously you've seen that of course million times, but just his complete wide receiver, the game of his. I'm excited to see how we use him. And then excited Tunsil, Laramie. Bringing a guy like him in where you don't even have to worry about helping him is going to be a game changer for us too.

[Podcast Host]

That's something I wanted to ask you about. Just when you bolster up your line, how much does that change your game plan and what you have to be part of?

[Zach Ertz]

Yeah, I mean, I think when you're able to protect with five, six guys and you can get more guys into route, the math is just better. When you have to chip both edges with the tight end or running back or receiver, whatever it is, and you get Two or three guys out in a route concept and the defense is dropping 7. It's just the math isn't going to add up consistently. So when you're able to get more guys into routes on those third and long situations, instead of having to help all the time, it just makes the offense a little more efficient. You don't want to be in those situations anyways, but it is. It makes it a little easier. But obviously we're excited with where that line is at. Obviously, the investment has been there for us as a football team with LT drafting Josh in the first round, moving a really good rookie, left tackle Brandon Coleman, inside the guard, and then we're still waiting Sam Cosby's return. So we're excited with where the O line is at and where it's headed.

[Podcast Host]

How's your quarterback look?

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, Jaden is phenomenal. I've been saying it since we started working together.

[Podcast Host]

Actually, you were the first person to say to me. So it was just when Jaden. It was like a couple weeks into camp and I saw you. It was a Giants or jets practice. I forgot where we were last year. And you were like, he's really good. And I remember thinking, coming from you, like, I know you're like a really positive person, but you've been around so long. And I'm like, if he's telling me this rookie's good, this kid is really good.

[Zach Ertz]

Yeah, no, he was very talented. He's definitely taking the next step in terms of. Obviously the. Everyone sees how good he is as a player, but he's taking the next step behind the scenes of just leading this team, taking ownership of the offense, holding us to his standard, which. Holding himself to extremely high standard. He has high standards for himself, and it really resonates with the rest of the guys with how he approaches it, how detailed he is. Because if one of the best players in the league is doing that consistently, no matter how, if he's in his first second year.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Zach Ertz]

Then it really just takes everyone to the next step. So we're extremely happy with where he's at, for sure.

[Podcast Host]

I asked him how he's able to relate to so many of you old people. I'm sorry, Actually, I take that back. He called you old. I did not say that. I'm in your camp. How he relates to so many of the guys on this team, and he kind of skirted the question a little because he didn't want to talk about himself. Why do you think he's able to do that? What is it that Makes him able to just be cool with everyone.

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, I think it's a unique trait he has. He's obviously been raised the right way. He has no ego, which is so rare for a guy getting with his draft status, his success in college, winning the Heisman, to just be one of the guys. I think his, probably his super trait, per se, superhuman trait, because obviously the physical tools are there, but his ability to just relate to everyone, joke around with everyone, doesn't view himself as anything different than just being one of the guys. Really helps him to just excel right away. And I think he's also really eager to learn. He's always picking our brains. Bobby, myself, we talk football all the time. We talk routes. How do you want things against this coverage? And he just loves football. And I think that really resonates with the guys.

[Podcast Host]

What's up with Cliff's playbook? I'm hearing that you guys are opening it up a little bit more. Is that just gibberish or are you guys really doing more?

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, I think Cliff installs new plays consistently. This is probably my third or fourth year with Cliff in general, so I wouldn't say it's anything out there. He's definitely, he knows our skill sets, the skill guys in particular, the receivers, Debos. He knows the skill sets of the players a little more now, so things are much more fine tuned, I would say. But in terms of opening this, opening up this playbook, the playbook is more open because you have a guy like Jaden who can kind of do everything instead of just a pocket pass or a running quarterback. With Jaden, though, you can have any game plan with him and he's going to make it work.

[Podcast Host]

Knowing that you guys were able to make it so far last year to the NFC championship game and obviously what it did to the city because it had been so many years. What do you think you guys are gonna focus on specifically to make sure that you don't get bounced this year and, and you go all the way to the Super Bowl. Was there anything specific that you guys were doing that you look back on that? All right, we gotta, we gotta not do that this year.

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, I think we. Well, one, you don't just start or keep it going from last year.

[Podcast Host]

This year. Yeah. Does it feel, if. Does it feel different?

[Zach Ertz]

Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's holding group on the people. I mean, 30, 30 plus roster turnover. 30% roster turnover in the NFL. So you don't just pick up where you left off in this league. You got to Earn it each and every single week. And I feel like we've done that throughout training camp. The thing that killed us in the last game we played last year is having four turnovers, so hopefully we can stay away from those games. Obviously, ball security is at a premium in this league. The team that oftentimes wins the turnover battle wins the game. And so that's what happened in the last game we played. But we're just focused on ourselves this year. No one's focused on last year. And so we just got to go out there, week one, play our best.

[Podcast Host]

I know it's business, but does it. Do you think it sets an offense back when you don't have a star player out there?

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, in our situation, everyone knows the type of player he is, what his skill set is. And so whether he shows up now, tomorrow, week one, whenever he shows up, or if he shows up, I don't think it's going to be. It's not like we're just learning Terry's skill set and trying to figure out what he can do well, what he can't do well. Everyone knows exactly what type of player he is, what he does extremely well, what maybe he should stay away from when you're running plays. And so for us, it's just about continuing to get better. We have all the confidence in the world that whenever he's out there, he's going to be who we all know he is, but it's not a distraction for us by any means.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, everyone seems very optimistic, so that's going to be my takeaway. Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow or next week. But everyone seems to think that this is going to get done, which I'm sure if. If you see Terry in a commander's uniform lining up against the Giants for you, like, what do you think that's going to do for this team?

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, I think. I don't know. It's the same. I saw him last year, so I don't. I think guys are just excited to. If and when he's out there. I mean, it's not like it's. Everyone has any animosity to him.

[Podcast Host]

No, no, no.

[Zach Ertz]

Understands.

[Podcast Host]

But just more of just knowing what he brings.

[Zach Ertz]

I mean, the city loves him. He's dedicated his whole career to this place, so I'm sure the reaction will be raucous, per se. But I mean, yeah, I mean, I'm excited if and when he's out there, to be next to him. He makes my job a lot easier, for sure.

[Podcast Host]

Have you ever thought about doing a podcast during the season?

[Zach Ertz]

I have not ever thought about doing a podcast during the season. A lot of guys do it. I don't know if I would be good at it at all.

[Podcast Host]

So I think, I mean, you're doing fine. Like, I feel like you could easily host the show with us. Chase Daniel hosts with me and James Bond Palmer. I think you would be an easy fill in. So if there's ever a Tuesday where you're just bored, I mean, I know you have three children, three boys that are probably very calm and nap a lot. So when maybe they're napping, you should come on and fill in. I think you could do this.

[Zach Ertz]

Well, yeah, we could figure it out.

[Podcast Host]

So our show's called Scoop City and we love to talk about scoop going on around the league. I know you're not gonna give me any scoop. You don't talk. It's very annoying. You talk, but you don't give any information. Do you have any questions for Scoop City? Do you have any questions about the podcast board? Do you have any questions about. About other teams that we visited?

[Zach Ertz]

Oh, I mean, give me the lowdown on the Giants, obviously.

[Podcast Host]

Well, you're already prepping. See, this is a hard working. I mean, Jackson Dart, I mean, he's looking pretty good, but it's going to be Russell Wilson. We're assuming that that's what it's going to be. But this is a ferocious defense that you're going to have to face. They've obviously upgraded there. They've improved in the draft.

[Zach Ertz]

Yeah, I think they're a really good team, honestly. I think they're really well coached. I love Brian D. I've loved him for years. I got a lot of respect for that guy. So they're going to be well coached, they're going to play hard, and their defense was really talented last year and they've added some pieces as well. So, yeah, we're going to have to be on it week one.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And then secretly hope maybe Micah gets traded. Right. Get him out of the defense, get.

[Zach Ertz]

Him out of here, out of the NFC east at least.

[Podcast Host]

Right? All right, Zach, thank you so much for hanging out with us. We appreciate. Good luck to you. Stay healthy, all the good stuff and hopefully you guys just kill it again this year.

[Zach Ertz]

Awesome.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks for hanging with us.

[Zach Ertz]

Thanks for having me.

[Matt]

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