How much is Mark Rypien, the last quarterback to lead the Washington franchise to a Super Bowl victory, enjoying the 7-2 start to the Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels era?
“When you look at what they're doing on the offensive side of the ball…they're first in the NFL averaging 42 yards per possession. That's incredible,” Rypien told BMitch & Finlay. “That means they're keeping their defense fresh, and Jayden's playing at unbelievable efficiency – and to do it this week without Zach Ertz, Terry McLaurin only caught two balls, Brian Robinson was hurt…it’s incredible. They’re doing it with other guys. There’s just a great chemistry that they have on the offensive side, and it's actually doing some wonders for the defense, too, and they’re playing at a high level. It’s been fun to watch.”
Rypien knows what it looks like when Washington can succeed with the next man up, and ‘that’s what you want in a football team’ is that versatility and depth, but it’s Jayden and what he and the backs are doing in the running game that’s setting it all up.
“Our main strength was being able to run the football; by doing so, you're getting safeties up on the line of scrimmage and making big plays in the passing game. Jayden would prefer to sit back in the pocket and make throws, but he’s incredibly gifted and capable of making plays with his legs, too, and it's just been fun to watch him play,” Rypien said. “You can see the level of command he has, and the maturity that he has for such a young guy – I wish I had that! But he’s playing at an amazing level.”
Between that run game, Jayden’s talent, and the O-line protecting him, it’s simply hard to prep for this offense.
“I just think teams have a difficulty game planning this Commanders team,” Rypien said. “Defenses have to go very generic, because you’re fearful of bringing the house and playing zero coverage, because Terry can go up against anyone and make a play, and you have a lot of guys that are playmakers. SO you have to be very generic, and it gives them the opportunity to run the ball, because you’re not putting guys in the box and creeping up on the line of scrimmage.”
Put it all together, and it’s just different in the DMV now.
“The environment there has changed, and you can see the excitement at the end of the game,” Rypien said. “They have a core of guys that are leading this team that they feel great about, and then the guys on the field doing what they're doing and getting more comfortable with each other each and every day. It just makes a world of difference in that city, and you can see the enthusiasm in the fans. The fan base is starting to come back, and Josh and his group are leading that charge, and it's good to see that.”
Take a listen to Rypien’s entire visit above, as he also goes into his thoughts on the Hail Jayden, the Commanders' offense as a whole, 3, and more!