Commanders assistants are grateful for continuity to help build on last year's success

ASHBURN, Va. (7News) — The NFL offseason has been busy in Washington. News of a potential new stadium and the 2027 NFL Draft coming to the nation's capital has kept the team in the spotlight during football's quietest months.

One thing the offseason has not had, however, is turnover.

On Thursday, 7News Sports spoke with multiple members of the Commanders coaching staff. Of the more than two dozen assistants on staff, the team had to hire just two new coaches this offseason, Brian Schneider and Jesse Madden.

"Everyone wanted to be back for more and there's a lot of excitement," said Commanders quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard. "What we're built in our relationships and our connections, so you can start from maybe a different place from that standpoint."

Pritchard is one of just a couple of coaches held over from the Ron Rivera era. Now in his second year as a part of the Dan Quinn regime, he said a trust has been cultivated between the staff that exemplifies the direction the franchise is heading.

"When you can already have a base built, like the quarterback room for instance, there's already so much that we've been through so I think some of those conversations can maybe start in a different place and so I think that goes a long way."

"A lot of us had never worked together before so we've all been able to really get a chance to know each other and continue to grow and develop and build," said assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator Brian Johnson.

"It's been really exciting in terms of being able to start this process and then continue to refine it, continue to find ways to try to get better, so I'm excited to be here," he added.

For defensive line coach Darryl Tapp, coming to Washington last season was a welcome home. The Chesapeake, Virginia native played one season with the Redskins and takes pride in being a part of Washington's renaissance.

"This is home to me," Tapp said. "I want to make sure that we're putting our best foot forward, we represent the area the right way. Then as a coach, do everything I can to help these guys reach that vision of the player that they want in their minds, make that an actuality."

Players have taken part in rookie mini camp and voluntary offseason workouts, OTAs, wrapped up this week. Next up on the NFL calendar will be veteran mini camp. Johnson likes what he sees from players thus far.

"It's just been a great hunger and enthusiasm and an eagerness to get better each and every day," Johnson said. "It's been really, really competitive, and it's been nice to be here when guys kind of know what to do already."