There’s a fine line between taking inspiration and swiping someone’s playbook—and one NFL legend isn’t letting it slide. Over the years, Bill Belichick built a dynasty in New England with his whole “Do Your Job” philosophy. It’s all about discipline, focus, and execution. But according to one former football great, that mindset wasn’t exactly original. In fact, he says Belichick straight-up “stole” it from him. And now, he’s putting it all out there.That legend? None other than Washington Commanders icon John Riggins. While breaking down what separates winning teams from ones that crumble under pressure, Riggins threw some major shade at Belichick. “By winning all those games on the last play, what that does to anybody… it tells you to never give up,” he explained, saying that mental toughness is what makes or breaks a team. Then he dropped the bomb: “A guy who used to live here, Bill Belichick, he stole it from me, by the way.” That’s a bold claim, but knowing Riggins, he’s not just talking for the sake of it.John Riggins on Washington being back: “They got the right guy at QB, that made a huge difference, and I think Dan Quinn deserves a lot of credit…He looks like a guy that’s a straight shooter, which is hard to find in the NFL.” Full answer is awesome. pic.twitter.com/5Fz7H0BvGt— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 21, 2025But he wasn’t just looking back—John Riggins was hyped about where the Commanders were headed. He called out how the team stayed cool under pressure this season instead of falling apart like some others. “They’ve been in the desert for quite some time, over 20 years,” (Cough, 33 years) he admitted. But now? “If they got the right guy at quarterback, that made a huge difference.” And speaking of the right guy, Riggins sees Jayden Daniels as the messiah for the Commanders. If he lives up to expectations, Washington might finally be out of that never-ending rebuild.John Riggins also had nothing but praise for new head coach Dan Quinn. “I think Dan Quinn deserves a lot of credit… I met him and I liked him because I thought, you know, he looks like a guy that’s a straight shooter, and they’re hard to find in the NFL,” he said. With Daniels running the offense and Quinn setting the tone, Riggins thinks the Commanders finally have something real to build on. And if they keep playing with the same grit and focus he’s been preaching for years, they might just prove him right.Commanders’ wild glow-up: From laughingstock to legit contendersThe Washington Commanders just pulled off one of the craziest turnarounds in recent NFL history. Last season? They were a brutal 4-13, stuck in what felt like permanent rebuild mode. This season? They flipped the script, went 12-5, and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. That’s not just improvement—that’s a full-blown comeback story. And a lot of it comes down to new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who basically dragged this team out of mediocrity and turned them into real contenders.For years, the Commanders were stuck in NFL purgatory. Between 2015 and 2023, they barely managed a 72-90-2 record with just two forgettable playoff runs. But this season? They finally snapped their 33-year NFC Championship drought and proved this franchise actually has a future. The fans, who have been suffering through years of mediocrity, finally have something to get hyped about, and the energy around the team is completely different.Dan Quinn came in and immediately changed the culture. The players felt it, and you could see it on the field. “There is nothing I enjoy more than doing hard shit with good people. I cannot wait to get rocking here,” Quinn said after the season. Wide receiver Dyami Brown was just as fired up: “I’m just grateful—even for that opportunity. I know previous years weren’t like that—but just [having] the opportunity that I’m given, I’m grateful for it.” Meanwhile, Terry McLaurin made it clear they’re not satisfied yet: “The job’s not done yet.”A huge reason for this team’s success? Jayden freaking Daniels. He influenced the Commanders. The rookie QB came in and absolutely balled out, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and finishing with a 100.1 passer rating. Not only did he prove he’s that guy, but he also took home a Pro Bowl selection and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors—and he’s just getting started. After Washington’s massive playoff win over Detroit, Daniels summed it up perfectly: “It was awesome to go out there and put up 38 points (offense), and the defense did their thing.” But he’s already locked in on what’s next: “We woke a sleeping giant. Hopefully, we can keep building on that next year.”Now, the next step is building around Daniels and making sure this wasn’t just a one-year thing. If they can keep stacking talent in free agency and the upcoming draft, this squad could be scary for years to come. The drought is over, but trust me—this is only the beginning.The post “He Stole It”: Commanders Legend Accuses Bill Belichick of Using His Philosophy & Lauds Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn After Successful Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.