The Washington Commanders’ Dan Quinn has already sparked major buzz at mandatory minicamp, comparing rookie linebacker Sonny Styles to quarterback Jayden Daniels—praising Styles for the same kind of elite communication that controls a huddle. Styles, drafted N
The Washington Commanders brought in a new defensive playmaker with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, and at mandatory minicamp the message from the coaching staff is clear: they expect him to run the room.
On Tuesday. head coach Dan Quinn compared 21-year-old linebacker Sonny Styles to quarterback Jayden Daniels. drawing a direct parallel to the way both can control communication on the field. The comparison came through Commanders senior writer Zach Selby. who relayed Quinn’s message that Styles is “in control” as a communicator—able to get calls and checks out to teammates in the same way Daniels commands the huddle.
That’s the sort of label NFL teams chase, and it lands with extra weight in Washington because Daniels’ most recent 2025-26 season was one to forget due to injuries. Even with that difficult stretch behind him, Daniels is still young, with time to reset and push back toward the top of his game.
But for now, attention is shifting to Styles and what Quinn believes he can do immediately. Washington is counting on the rookie linebacker to make an early impact in its defense. and the traits described in minicamp comments point to more than just athletic upside. Styles is listed as an ultra-athletic linebacker who played safety during his first two seasons at Ohio State. He switched to linebacker in his junior year and never looked back.
In the two campaigns as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, Styles produced 182 combined tackles, including 94 solo stops. He added seven sacks. one interception. two forced fumbles. and one fumble recovery—numbers that helped cement his reputation going into the draft as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 class.
For Commanders fans, the offseason now has a new talking point. The hype is expected to keep coming as Styles works through the spring, starting with mandatory minicamp and then returning in July for training camp.
In one short comparison at practice, the storyline is set: the rookie linebacker Washington drafted at No. 7 overall is being measured not only by what he can do with his body. but by whether he can do what Quinn says Daniels does best—call the shots. get teammates aligned. and keep the defense operating like it knows exactly where it’s going.
Washington Commanders Dan Quinn Sonny Styles Jayden Daniels 2026 NFL Draft mandatory minicamp Ohio State linebacker NFL news
Dan Quinn just compares everyone to whoever’s hot, lol.
Idk why they keep bringing up Jayden Daniels like that matters for a linebacker. Injuries or not, that’s a QB comparison. But if Sonny Styles can “run the room” I guess that’s good??
Ohio State guys are always studs though. Didn’t Styles used to play safety? So he’s basically like a mini Daniels now controlling the field, right? Like call checks out to teammates and stuff. Feels like they’re setting him up to be a star already.
Jayden Daniels ‘most recent 2025-26 season was one to forget’ but they’re still using him as the measuring stick… okay. Also how does a linebacker control a huddle? Aren’t linebackers defense-only? Unless he’s calling plays like the DC, which then why are they drafting QB comparisons. I don’t know, I just don’t want another hyped pick that gets hurt and disappears.