Washington Commanders’ new practice tactic looks a little weird, but it can help Jayden Daniels learn the new offense faster
Jayden Daniels, along with the rest of the offense and the defense, are learning new systems in 2026. Therefore, the Commanders have adopted a new strategy that will help accelerate the process.
You may have noticed how Jayden Daniels looks a bit different this year in practice.
Recent clips have shown Daniels wearing a GoPro on his helmet, which is a new concept we’ve yet to see under Dan Quinn.
And the why and the how behind the move makes all the sense in the world when you listen to the Washington Commanders head coach break it all down.
“The GoPros came from [offensive coordinator] David [Blough], and it definitely gives insight,” Quinn told reporters during the final week of OTAs. “There’s also volume on that, and so hearing that microphone of what it could sound like in a huddle, what does the check look like – there’s definitely advantages. … It gives another perspective and how to hear things.
“As a coach, especially on the sideline, hearing that type of communication back and forth; if it was just the video, that’d be good, but adding the sound with it with the mic, I think that’s another layer to it. So we’ll continue to work with it now and through the next week, and then we can decide what, what days, how we want to work it. But I’m encouraged by it so far.”
It’s a pretty funny look, but it will certainly help Jayden Daniels, and the rest of the Commanders offense, pick up Blough’s system faster. That’s exactly what needs to happen this year, too, as Washington looks to rebound from a disastrous 2025 campaign.
“When I first saw it, I didn’t know how I felt,” said Quinn. “Is it gonna make me seasick, you know, like up and down and all over the place, and I think some positions it might be that. If you’re a safety and you’re looking around all the time, but at that position specifically, I think there’s advantages to doing it.”
Frankie Luvu is not a fan of the GoPro strategy
In an amusing twist, Luvu flat-out said he does not like having the GoPro attached to his head.
“I said I’m gonna break this camera,” Luvu told reporters. ” … I feel like with the technology we have nowadays, man, the back end should have it. They can see the whole field, and you know, can correct this from the top down. But it’s not for me.”
To Quinn’s point, the Commanders probably don’t Luvu wearing the GoPro due to all the movement he has to go through. However, it would be beneficial for Daronte Jones and the other defensive coaches to hear what Luvu is saying in the huddle, akin to the advantage that comes with Daniels.
Regardless, fast-tracking both sides of the ball, especially Daniels’ personal development, is a smart move and it should have a positive impact down the line.