Dan Quinn Reveals Mike Sainristil’s Importance in Developing Jayden Daniels, Breaks Down Commanders QB’s Intelligence With High Praise

The Washington Commanders‘ new head coach is betting big on a defensive back who’s more of a chameleon than a cornerback. Mike Sainristil, the 50th overall pick, isn’t just a defender; he’s a Swiss Army knife that Quinn plans to use to sharpen his rookie quarterback’s blade.

“Adam and I both went to the Michigan pro day,” Quinn revealed on the Command Center segment of the Official Commanders YouTube video, his eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. “After the DB portion of the workout was done, who do you think was running routes as the offensive receiver and stair-stepping people right deep? It was just like he would’ve been in line with all the receivers.”

Quinn believes Sainristil’s offensive background gives him an edge in defending option routes and quick passes. “As a nickel, you play so much of your time in the box,” Quinn explained. “You have to be elite at that, and he is.”

Sainristil’s journey to the NFL is a highlight reel of adaptability. He arrived at Michigan as a top-100 cornerback prospect but spent three seasons hauling in touchdowns instead of intercepting them. In 2021, he grabbed a career-high 51-yard pass against Rutgers and scored in the Big Ten Championship. But Sainristil’s defensive instincts were always simmering beneath the surface.

“Did I know it was actually going to happen? No, but you know, I’m glad it did,” Sainristil said via Michigan Daily about his switch back to defense. “I like where I’m at playing defense right now.” And boy, did Michigan like it too. In his final two seasons, Sainristil racked up 102 tackles and seven interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Quinn sees Sainristil as more than just a defensive back. He’s a secret weapon in developing rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. “When you combine Mike and Jayden together, these guys are going to just absolutely get each other better,” Quinn gushed.

Jayden Daniels and Mike Sainristil are the dynamic duo Washington didn’t know needed

Quinn’s excitement about this defensive-offensive tandem is palpable. “You think Mike’s going to want to give up a catch? No chance. Do you think Jayden’s going to want to get a pass broken up or intercepted? No chance,” he said, painting a picture of iron sharpening iron.

But it’s not just about competition. Quinn sees Daniels as a quarterback with rare talents. “The developing part – to have a platform to throw off of him and so much of the quarterback play is with your feet,” Quinn explained. “This is a player that has worked extremely hard at this part of the game.”

Quinn’s praise for Daniels goes beyond his physical abilities. He highlighted the quarterback’s intelligence and attention to detail: “It’s the smallest details that can create these big plays. So just by him on this particular play opening up a safety allows it to rip the ball quickly onto this in-breaker knowing he created the space.”

This aligns with NFL insider Jeremy Fowler’s report that some teams are “scared to death” of what the Commanders could become with Daniels under center. “It was brought up to me, the comp with Lamar Jackson,” Fowler said. “Maybe not quite as good of a runner as Jackson was, but good enough. But, a better passer at this stage of his career than Jackson was.”

Quinn’s not just throwing Daniels to the wolves, though. He’s assembled a brain trust to nurture his young QB, including offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who developed Kyler Murray, and Anthony Lynn, who coached Justin Herbert as a rookie.

“I want you to think about your time with Justin: What did you do that was too much? What did you do that was not enough?” Quinn asked Lynn, as per ESPN. It’s this kind of meticulous planning that has Washington fans dreaming of a return to their glory days.

As Quinn puts it, “Football here in the DMV is super important, and although it’s been dormant, that would be probably a way to say it, it’s our job to make it come back to life and make it super fun.” With Sainristil pushing Daniels and Quinn to orchestrate from the sidelines, the Commanders might just be cooking up a recipe for success that’ll have the rest of the NFL saying, “Show me the money!”