The Washington Commanders have a fan in Hollywood actor Jon Bernthal.
The 48-year-old is perhaps most known for his leading role in Marvel’s The Punisher, though his career resumé spans much longer than the list of an NFL 53-man roster.
A Montgomery County, Maryland native, Bernthal is a lifelong fan of the Burgundy and Gold, and was in attendance at Monday’s training camp practice.
“It feels so good to be a Commanders fan,” Bernthal told reporters. “It feels like it was back in the day: ’83, ’84, ’87, ’92.”
“These guys are not just incredible athletes and this team isn’t just so beautiful. For me as a father, just to see that the quality of men these guys are and the role models that they can be to these kids.”
Sophomore superstar Jayden Daniels
Bernthal gave a particularly glowing review of sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels – who had a stellar rookie campaign – after he took some time out of his day to speak with, and throw some balls to, the actor’s son.
“My son’s a quarterback, and for Jayden [Daniels] to take the time to say hello to him, stay and throw the ball to him on the field, it’s just incredible,” he explained.
“You see them all. They’re all out here with these fans and it is truly a wonderful thing to be a Commanders fan, and this team and this culture, it’s the absolute truth.
“I’m just so excited for this team, and I believe in them with all my heart.”
“It’s focus and it’s zoning in,” Bernthal, who will appear as The Punisher in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, said when asked what he sees from the Commanders. “There really is no such thing as easy.
“Practice is practice, but it’s all the work that they’re doing all day long, and I think immediately that that’s the points of connection that we’re all talking about.
“You’re either a go-getter or you’re not. You can feel this team is a bunch of go-getters. Coach [Dan] Quinn is a go-getter; we’re in real good shape moving forward,” Bernthal said.
The Commanders have had a torrid time since they won the Super Bowl in 1991, making the playoffs on just eight occasions in the past 34 years.
Nonetheless, after drafting former LSU Tigers standout Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft, it already looks like Washington’s fortunes are changing.
Last season, the Commanders shocked the league by finishing the season with a 12-5 record – their best outing since 1991.
With their playoff berth secured, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year went on to lead the Commanders to the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl LIX champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Terry McLaurin’s contract stalemate
In a season full of highs, especially when Daniels wowed the whole league in a last-gasp ‘Hail Mary’ attempt to secure victory over the Chicago Bears, the Commanders enter the 2025 campaign with a cloud of uncertainty over their No. 1 wide receiver, Terry McLaurin.
This comes after he requested a trade away from the organization after negotiations over a contract extension hit a roadblock.
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Despite ending a four-day hold out to join up with the team at training camp, but is still frustrated by Washington’s lack of urgency to get a new deal over the line after hauling in 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns from 82 receptions in 2024.
No matter who is – or who isn’t – on the roster, with Daniels getting another offensive weapon in Deebo Samuel this offseason, Bernthal’s loyalty forever remains with the Washington football franchise.
“I’ve been all over this world making movies: Morocco, Ireland, Greece. All over North Africa,” he added.
“No matter what time of day, I’m finding a way to watch those games, and over the years, it has been hard but right now it’s payback time.
“I was on a set last year with that ‘Hail Mary’ pass and I’m running through the streets of Morocco grabbing people.
“The truth is the truth. You can’t mess with this team. Everything is right with this team.”
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