The Washington Commanders hit the field on Saturday for their second preseason clash, falling 17-13 to the Detroit Lions. While a preseason loss usually does not get coaches or fans worked up, it was the first drive of the game that truly set off alarm bells for head coach Dan Quinn.
A Disaster on the First Drive
Quinn sent out his first-team offense, expecting them to carry over the momentum from what he considered a solid training camp. This was the first preseason action for quarterback Jayden Daniels, flanked by star wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. What unfolded next? A brutal three plays for a grand total of one yard. The drive started with an incomplete pass, as Daniels was immediately under duress after a critical missed block, forcing him to throw the ball away. On the very next snap, two more missed blocks left Daniels exposed, and he took a sack. Faced with third down, Washington handed the ball off, then promptly punted. That was it. Daniels and the entire first-team offense were done for the night. Daniels himself didn’t seem too bothered after the game, clearly understanding the “it’s just preseason” vibe.
Quinn’s Concern Goes Deep
But Dan Quinn, a coach known for deflecting criticism away from his players, clearly saw something far more troubling than a simple preseason mishap. Quinn spoke highly of right guard Sam Cosmi, saying Cosmi is “really having a good camp,” and perhaps “playing the best I’ve seen him play in the couple, three years” since Quinn arrived in 2024. He praised Cosmi’s technique and liked what he saw from the left tackle. However, Quinn’s biggest concern was glaringly obvious, even if he didn’t explicitly name names for the problem spot: the center position. With Nick Allegretti still sidelined after barely practicing all summer following his transition from guard, the center spot is a massive question mark. Quinn’s quote, “we got work to do to figure out where we want to get to at center,” tells you everything you need to know about the urgency of the issue.
So, the Commanders made a significant shift on Sunday. Instead of their planned Monday walkthrough, Quinn called for a full-on practice. This move is out of character for Quinn, who is typically a player’s coach, making it a big deal. The change isn’t *just* about the center position, Quinn sees deeper issues. Given the Saturday disaster, it is probably a smart call. This week just got a whole lot busier: a joint scrimmage with the Ravens in Baltimore on Wednesday, followed by their final preseason game on Friday. They’ll need to figure things out, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply