ASHBURN, Va. — Washington opened its training camp with a bright spot that could shape the Commanders’ offense this season: Jayden Daniels connected with Deebo Samuel on a deep ball to the sideline, a completion that underscored the rapid chemistry developing between the quarterback and the former 49ers star.
Daniels said the early work with Samuel has grown steadily since camp began, thanks to extra reps, conversations between series, and a growing on- and off-field bond. The sight of Daniels laying in a perfectly placed deep ball to Samuel, or Samuel slipping through defenders on a crossing route, has become a common theme in camp as Washington grapples with questions about its receiving corps beyond the injured or unsettled veterans.
Since Washington acquired Samuel in March, general manager Adam Peters has described him as a versatile asset for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, a player who can be deployed in lots of ways. The move has already offered Samuel a fresh start after a injury-plagued and uneven 2024 season, with a contract situation that hung over him late in San Francisco and the league chatter about his weight. The new setting, combined with a looming expiring deal, has given him motivation to prove he can still be a game-changing contributor.
The pace and style of Washington’s offense have loomed large in the evaluation. Peters recalled Samuel’s adaptability from years with the 49ers, noting that “fast” offense makes it crucial for him to stay in peak shape. Samuel himself has embraced the challenge, focusing on conditioning to survive the no-huddle, high-tempo scheme through a full 17-game season.
Earlier in the week, Samuel and Daniels had already formed a connection that extended beyond the practice field. Samuel talked with Brandon Aiyuk, a friend and former 49ers teammate, about Daniels’ ability and poise. Samuel has described Daniels as a complete quarterback who makes every throw with calm confidence, a quality that has helped accelerate their on-field timing.
Washington has been intentional about where Samuel can be used, with coach Dan Quinn noting that the speedster has been lined up everywhere—from outside to the slot, in the backfield, on screens, and even returning kicks. The versatility is part of the team’s broader philosophy of competition and flexibility in roster construction, a strategy that has seen veteran free agents signed to one-year deals and asked to prove their worth.
To help offset the financial hit of Samuel’s contract, Washington added about $3 million in incentives, a move designed to keep the overall cap manageable while incentivizing peak performance. The goal is simple: maximize Samuel’s impact in an offense that has big-play potential if the connection with Daniels translates to points.
Samuel’s career profile is defined by explosiveness and efficiency, with 120 missed tackles in his career and 9.2 yards after the catch per reception—the most of any receiver since his debut in 2019, per TruMedia. Yet durability has been an issue in recent years. Since his breakout 2021 season (1,405 receiving yards, first-team All-Pro honors), Samuel has averaged about 731 receiving yards per year and has yet to play a complete season. The coaching and conditioning staff are well aware of that history as they try to maximize his health and production.
A telling part of the camp narrative has been the emphasis on conditioning. Samuel came to camp around 220 pounds with roughly 9 percent body fat, according to Nic Hill, a performance coach who has worked with Samuel for years. Hill noted that the no-huddle system requires an extended high-output effort, and Samuel has embraced the challenge—sprinting between plays and maintaining speed and power without frequent rests.
Quinn echoed the sentiment that the extra time with Daniels could be a silver lining. Washington’s goal is to build a dynamic, multi-location offense around Samuel, leveraging his speed and strength to stress defenses in multiple ways. As Samuel said, his mindset is simple: get in the best shape possible, be the best version of himself, and push the offense toward its ceiling after last year’s NFC Championship appearance.
In short, the Commanders are betting that the renewed energy and the fast-paced, versatile offense can unlock Samuel’s full potential with Daniels’ leadership and the improved conditioning program. If the early chemistry holds, Washington could turn questions at the receiving position into a capable, dangerous weapon that complements a dynamic quarterback and a high-tempo attack. With the added incentive-driven contract structure and a plan to deploy Samuel across multiple spots, the organization is aiming for a strong, productive season that builds on the optimism surrounding the Daniels-Samuel pairing. A hopeful sign for a resurgent offense, should the health and consistency align.