Commanders news: Jay Gruden, Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota and Efe Obada

It's a big week for the Washington Commanders. Those in power will welcome the top three quarterback candidates in contention to be the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye will sit down with those in power during their respective visits in the coming days, which is the final piece of the puzzle before the time comes to make a final decision about what will hopefully be the team's next franchise signal-caller.

Adam Peters and his staff might have a preferred candidate, but these meetings will be a chance to find out more about them away from the gridiron, what makes them tick and their inner desire to become one of the league's best. This is something the new general manager values highly and will factor into his thought process.

For fans, expectations are high and the speculation is rampant with very few clues emanating from the organization. While we wait for further developments, the stories causing conversation include Efe Obada's desire, Daniels getting a lofty comparison, how Marcus Mariota can help Washington's new signal-caller and former head coach Jay Gruden advising about which way the Commanders should go at No. 2 overall.

Let's delve into each topic in more detail.

Efe Obada's mindset

The Washington Commanders didn't bring many of their free agents back as part of Adam Peters' vast rebuild. Efe Obada was one of them despite his 2023 campaign being cruelly cut short by injury.

Obada revealed via the team's website that he didn't want to play for anyone other than Dan Quinn, one of two coaches who reached out to him after he went to injured reserve with a serious leg complication. It was a small gesture, but one that meant a great deal to the versatile defensive lineman.

"He messaged me that I was a warrior and that I would get back. And that meant so much to me. It's a testament to the kind of guy that he is because he cares about someone eight years later. He didn't need to text me, and he did. I'm sure there's so many other guys, so many other players, coaches that have amazing testimony to the character of Coach Dan Quinn and how much he cares and how much he goes above and beyond. He [Quinn] is one of the only coaches I want to go to war for."

The Nigerian-born player will continue rehabilitation in the hope of making his presence felt on the rotation next season. The Commanders brought in several veterans to boost standards and raise competition, so the task awaiting Obada is difficult. That said, Quinn believes in him, which is a solid foundation to build upon.