D.J. Williams hasn’t even made it to training camp with the Commanders, and he’s already leaving a mark in Washington.
The new quarterbacks coach arrived with plenty of noise around his name because of who he is - the son of franchise legend Doug Williams. But the hire wasn’t some sentimental nod. Williams got the job because Dan Quinn believed he was the right man for it, and the early signs say that faith was well placed.
Williams and Jayden Daniels clicked quickly. His father didn’t even know Quinn was considering him for the role until after the Commanders had made their decision, and once Williams got to work, he wasted no time challenging Daniels during the offseason program.
That kind of push is exactly what the quarterback responds to. The relationship has also gone beyond the field, with the two talking about life outside football as well.
That matters for a Washington offense that has seen some major turnover around its young quarterback. Kliff Kingsbury is gone after his vision for the offense no longer lined up with Quinn’s.
Tavita Pritchard left during the season for the Stanford head coaching job. David Blough remains in a more important role, but Daniels still needed another steady presence in his corner.
Williams has stepped into that space.
There’s still a long way to go, and he’s only beginning to settle in. Even so, he’s made a strong first impression, and Daniels is fully on board after what has been a smooth transition between the two. Continuity matters in the NFL, especially when so much is changing around a quarterback, and Williams has helped keep the disruption to a minimum.
He’s confident, he’s convincing, and he’s getting the most out of a major opportunity. Daniels has responded well to the demands, and the offense is expected to look more innovative with Blough calling plays.
The Commanders need a rebound season after last year’s capitulation, and Quinn is under pressure to help turn things around. That made this offseason critical, and Washington needed every move to hit.
Quinn clearly trusted Williams to be one of those moves. He has spent a long time around the game and knows a good coach when he sees one. Whatever criticism follows him, he has shown he can put together strong coaching staffs, both with the Commanders and during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
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