‘Everybody pours in’ as Commanders ramp up intensity at offseason workouts

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. owed his coach an apology on Wednesday. His players brought a little too much intensity to the week’s padless, voluntary workouts.

“I had to tell [defensive tackle Daron Payne], ‘Hey, man, just calm down.’ I got in trouble with the head coach because I challenged the D-line, and he went after it,” Whitt said. “I told [coach Dan Quinn], ‘My fault. He did exactly what I told him to do.’”

Quinn said no apology was necessary. 

Payne opened the 11-on-11 drills with another high-energy play on Wednesday: a non-contact sack against star quarterback Jayden Daniels.

But Quinn said Wednesday’s practice, which was the only session open to media this week, paled in comparison to Tuesday’s workout in Ashburn, Virginia.

“It was speed, man. It was the ‘Ashburn Relays,’” Quinn told reporters. “We wanted to see how fast, without the contact, we could go. We pushed each other to do that.”

Payne has been leading that push for the Commanders as they wrap up voluntary workouts this week. It’s a crucial period, coaches said, as veterans help newcomers get acclimated.

Teachable moments were on full display on Wednesday. Second-year cornerback Mike Sainristil stayed after practice to work on releases with new wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Young offensive tackles Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly Jr., Washington’s first-round pick, received extra attention from veterans like Trent Scott and Andrew Wylie.

“You have the opportunity to build the brotherhood in the building. When we went on a three-game losing streak, it was that brotherhood that kept it together,” Whitt said. “You start building that now.”

Those relationships are rapidly developing throughout the Commanders’ practice facility.

“I’m just excited to get to learn from some of the best that have ever played the game. That’s from top to bottom,” rookie linebacker Kain Medrano said. “Just being a sponge right now, taking in everything I can take in from the vets and continuing to stack days.”

Medrano, a sixth-round pick, started his college career as a wide receiver. His speed on the field, a remnant from his time as a pass-catcher, has impressed Washington’s coaches in the six weeks since the draft.

They’ve split his time between safety and linebacker, weighing whether the 24-year-old could slot in behind All-Pro linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu or alongside the returning Quan Martin in the defensive backfield.

“We’re testing the kid right now to see, all right, what is it going to be,” Whitt said. “We’ll tell a little bit more once we put the pads on. He can really run. Does he have the ability to cover a tight end? Does he have the ability to beat a tackle in the rush?”

Conerly and second-round cornerback Trey Amos headlined the rookie class. The duo is expected to immediately contribute to a squad that made an NFC championship game appearance last year.

It’s been a learning experience for Conerly, who said he’s had to learn how to build his own routines in his first offseason as a pro. His teammates on the offensive line have eased that transition, on and off the field.

“Everybody kind of pours in their little sprinkle,” the Oregon product said. “No matter if it’s even finding a place to live. Everybody kind of helps with everything.”

Amos has hit the ground running, with Whitt saying the rookie is “ahead of the curve.”

The role of rookies like Amos, Conerly and Medrano is still to be determined. The offseason is promising, but they’ve been working in shorts — no pads allowed. Their prospects are promising, but there are still three months until the NFL season kicks off.

“Until we get into more competitive situations, put our pads on people; you really won’t be able to tell,” Whitt said. “In this setting right now, we want to hear minds, speed, how the guys are communicating.”

The Commanders’ voluntary workouts end on Friday. The squad will be back on Tuesday for the first day of mandatory minicamp.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore — the only players who skipped the optional practices — will be required to attend or risk fines from the team.