Commanders import more mentors to push young core toward Super Bowl

Cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive end Deatrich Wise are experts in “The Patriot Way.” But after spending their entire careers in New England, the veterans will blend that legendary culture with the tight-knit camaraderie of the upstart Washington Commanders.

After a flurry of moves last week, the Commanders have been officially introducing new players like Jones, Wise and five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil this week.

They represent the next phase of coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters’ “recalibration;” A phase focused on blending the young talent already on the roster with proven competitors and Super Bowl champs to power the next step toward a title.

Wise and Jones won a combined three Super Bowls in New England under legendary coach Bill Belichick. The veterans said they’ve got a unique perspective to share with their new teammates.

“Going to several Super Bowls, you realize that you don’t win in the offseason, but that’s a big part of it. As soon as you start in the offseason, making sure you’re mentally prepared, physically prepared, getting it in at training camp,” Jones told the team’s website. “Every game, [you’re] having to learn something from it.”

After thriving in one of the league’s premiere cultures with the Patriots, the newcomers said they were looking for a similar situation in free agency. They think they found it in Washington.

“The energy that this locker room has, that this team has played with last year, it’s hard not to want to be a part of that,” Jones said. “Coach Quinn is highly recommended from a lot of guys in the league; I couldn’t find a person to say a bad thing about him.”

The same can’t be said for Tunsil. He’ll slot in as a cornerstone piece of the offensive line, protecting superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels’ blindside.

The Commanders shipped a slew of draft picks to the Houston Texans for the former first-rounder. The trade process — from moving to meeting new coaches and introducing yourself to a fan base — isn’t new to Tunsil. He experienced it when the Miami Dolphins traded him to Houston in 2019.

While he said Houston was kind enough to offer a courtesy call — something Miami didn’t provide — the culture in Washington is different.

“The energy in that building is off the charts, honestly,” Tunsil told reporters. “Everybody’s happy. Everybody’s energetic. Everybody’s looking to win. That’s the feeling that I got from them, and that’s something that I’m glad to be a part of.”

Tunsil doesn’t have the playoff pedigree of Wise and Jones, but the 30-year-old earned each of his five Pro Bowl nominations over the last six seasons. He has wisdom to share with his teammates on both sides of the ball.

The Texans dealt Tunsil to free up cash for younger players with a perceived higher upside. But the potential franchise left tackle said he’d do whatever it takes to prove his worth in Washington.

“What I bring to the table: a pass protector, a damn good run blocker, a leader. I could be a mentor to the young guys [at] any position group. … I’m down to do whatever they want me to do,” he said. “If they need me to play quarterback and back up Jayden Daniels, then I can do that. Running back, whatever.”

In addition to the trade for Tunsil, the Commanders added a hybrid player who is a bit more likely to take snaps at running back. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel — known for his versatility within the San Francisco 49ers’ offense — joined the team via trade this offseason.

Samuel was an All-Pro in 2021, giving opposing defensive coordinators headaches with 1405 receiving yards and eight rushing touchdowns. His recent, injury-riddled seasons have been less flashy, but the 29-year-old could revive his career in Washington.

The signings and trades are potential needle-moving additions for a Commanders roster that fell one game short of a Super Bowl appearance last season.

“The more that you can surround this young core group with guys that have played at a high level … I think the more that they can see these examples and kind of mold it into their own games,” returning backup quarterback Marcus Mariota said. “I think that just raises the level of the young core that we have.”