Nearly 3,000 fans pack camp to see Jayden Daniels, revamped Commanders (2024)

More than 12 years later, Shaw is still a Washington fan. He tries to travel down annually for training camp, but this year had a different feel.

It did for Ty Laurie, too. Laurie drove 12 hours from Montreal to be able to stand alongside Shaw outside the Commanders’ training facility at 4:30 a.m. The two were the first among nearly 3,000 fans to attend the team’s first camp practice that was open to the public, giving them the earliest glimpse of new quarterback Jayden Daniels — and one of his limited autographs. (The Commanders restricted the capacity to 3,000 because of limited space amid construction at the team facility.)

“It means everything,” Shaw said. “I feel like a little kid again.”

Shortly before the Commanders began their 75-minute workout, Coach Dan Quinn addressed the fans who packed in along the practice field to express his appreciation. Then he gave his signature “Let’s get it rocking” to kick off a workout that included the usual array of individual periods, special teams work and team drills — seven-on-seven, 11-on-11 and red zone.

Although the crowd was subdued for much of the session, the renewed hope and excitement were palpable.

“Honestly, I felt it earlier this morning driving in and seeing people parking up on the grass to get there early,” Quinn said. “It’s such a cool reminder of how historic this franchise is. … It definitely brought up a good feeling of what is next here.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) attended the workout and spoke at various points with Commanders minority owner Mark Ein, General Manager Adam Peters and media members to give his sales pitch for keeping the team’s stadium in Maryland. Then he made his way to the fans.

“They see and they’re taking notice that I was here on the first day,” Moore said. “That’s how excited I am, not just about what I think the team can do on the field but what I think we can do together off of the field.”

The Commanders’ workout was more of a mixed bag. Daniels appeared sharp, but his supporting cast raised some red flags. Right tackle Andrew Wylie did not participate in 11-on-11 drills, two days after rookie Brandon Coleman closed out practice in his place. Wylie said afterward that he is dealing with some tightness (he didn’t specify where), that the team is “being smart” about it and that he expects to be back Monday.

Quinn typically mixes starters with reserves in team drills, so the offensive line often rotated. But the group as a whole committed at least four false-start penalties.

Kicker also remains a need for the Commanders; the team signed Ramiz Ahmed in June to replace Brandon McManus, who was released after allegations of sexual assault. Ahmed was strong in the early days of camp but has struggled to connect on anything from more than 50 yards. Another long attempt during team drills Sunday hit the upright.

But the focus was clearly on the fans. Quinn spoke with some youth flag football players after the workout as players signed autographs and took selfies with supporters.

Daniels started at the standing-room-only section of fans and spent close to 15 minutes after the workout signing jerseys, towels, mini-helmets, T-shirts and even a fan’s shoe, ensuring a team staffer armed with a handful of Sharpie pens stayed close.

“He’s done a great job,” backup quarterback Marcus Mariota said of Daniels’s handling of the fan interest. “And it’s not easy. When you’re coming in to be the guy to revitalize a franchise, it’s tough.”

Before being ushered away to the locker room, Daniels pulled out a pen for one final sign that read: “I Drove From MASS To Meet My Favorite Team!” Shaw stood speechless as Daniels signed his name and thanked him for coming.

“I just kind of blacked out,” Shaw said. “I didn’t know what to say. I’m shaking right now. I might cry, honestly. That’s my guy.”