Moving forward, what effect might the Jahan Dotson trade have on the Washington Commanders?
Of course, we don’t “know” the certainty of the future. Yet, doesn’t it remain a strong probability that a message was indirectly sent to the team when your WR2, a first-round draft choice just three drafts ago, is traded?
Several players had previously spoken out that the change in approach by this new coaching staff was evident from their arrival. Players had expressed increased energy, intensity, enthusiasm, and competition.
Just one week ago, head coach Dan Quinn praised some of the wide receivers but not Dotson. Former Redskins running back/returner Brian Mitchell volunteered that body language spoke volumes about what players were buying in and which were not.
On Thursday, a message was sent. Dotson was traded. Most specifically, the wide receiver group is more aware now than ever of what is expected of them on a running play or on running a route through contact.
But not only the receivers; perhaps the remainder of the team now looks differently at the coaches, for they have learned that the coaches are not afraid to make deals to rid themselves of whomever they don’t feel is buying in.
As @Commanders camp comes to a close to no surprise one of the most profound player bites of the preseason (in my eyes) came from @TheTerry_25 His words on HC Dan Quinn & culture & competition at the beginning have indeed been evident all the way down to the trade of Jahan Dotson pic.twitter.com/P6W714xzr1
— Lou Holder (@HolderSports) August 23, 2024
Fans instantly thought of a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, or Armari Cooper. But no, Dan Quinn was clear. This was not about acquiring another receiver. To me, Quinn was saying he believes this trade was, in their view, an addition by subtraction.
Quinn and Peters need to be correct on this one. They know this, of course. With two years remaining on his contract, they could see Dotson four more regular season games. Yet, from their evaluation, might they not be overly concerned?
You know, perhaps like Andy Reid wasn’t overly concerned to have traded Donovan McNabb to Washington?
