Dan Quinn already being tempted by Commanders mistake fans know too well

The Washington Commanders' offseason objective following their disastrous 5-12 campaign was simple: get younger, faster, and hungrier. For general manager Adam Peters, it's been mission accomplished.

But one veteran is already raising concerns about head coach Dan Quinn slipping back into old habits.

Washington let nearly all of its aging veterans walk, save for backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. On the flip side, almost every incoming free agent is under the age of 30 and has something to prove. The kids are here, and they're ready to play.

Dan Quinn can't let Van Jefferson take away snaps from Commanders' young WRs

Now it falls on Quinn to provide opportunities. And his comments from Washington's mandatory minicamp regarding the wide receiver group have fans already palming their foreheads.

By his own admission, Quinn loves himself some Van Jefferson Jr. The seventh-year journeyman is on his fifth team in the past four seasons and has been considered a long shot to make Washington's roster. But it sounds like he might just have a chance, for better or worse.

For worst-case-scenario wary Commanders fans, this feels like Chris Moore a season ago all over again.

Throughout camp, we heard how much of an impression he was making on the coaching staff. Then, once preseason arrived, all he did was drop every pass thrown his way.

Somehow, Moore not only made the roster but was also given more opportunities than developing players such as Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane. Fans were heated and blamed Quinn for stunting the growth of the young prospects who needed to be on the field.

Jefferson has extremely limited upside. Beyond one productive 800-yard season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, he's been an afterthought in the NFL. This offseason is likely his final chance to crack a roster, and on the surface, there's no room for him — and that's not even accounting for the very possible addition of Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs.

Two-time Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin is obviously a roster lock, as is third-round rookie Antonio Williams. The rest of the group is hard to predict, but it would still be surprising if Jefferson is ahead of Treylon Burks, McCaffrey, Lane, or Dyami Brown in the pecking order.

It's great that Jefferson is having a positive camp, but the Commanders can't read too much into it.

Hopefully, Quinn understands who the 2020 second-rounder is, and doesn't let this cute little tease come at the expense of players who are more important to Washington's future.

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