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
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.
Key Topics and Insights
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.)
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)
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)
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)
Key Segment Timestamps
- Jayden Daniels Interview: 02:21–07:42
- Dan Quinn Interview: 09:27–21:09
- Zach Ertz Interview: 23:57–33:16
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.
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.