Dan Quinn is adding a familiar kind of insurance to Washington’s defensive staff, but not the kind that changes who’s in charge on Sundays.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Commanders have hired Steve Wilks as a part-time defensive consultant to work with the coaches. The move had reportedly been in the works all season and became official last week.
Wilks won’t be on the sideline for game days. His job is to help Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones with game planning, while Jones remains the one running the defense when the lights come on. This is help behind the scenes, not a shake-up.
The timing says plenty about where Washington is right now. Quinn said he would make changes to help the Commanders climb out of their slump, and this was one of the first ones to surface. Jones is in his first season as an NFL play-caller, and the Commanders have clearly felt that he could use another experienced voice in the room as he settles into the role.
There has been progress. Washington’s defense has opened games strongly at times, played the run much better and generated more pressure.
But the late-game fade has been a problem, and that showed up again in the Monday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The challenge now is finding a better balance.
Wilks brings plenty of mileage for that kind of job. He has head coaching experience, with his stint with the New York Jets described as a disaster, but his work with the Carolina Panthers drew major praise. When Matt Rhule was fired, Wilks took over as interim head coach, changed the feel of the team right away and helped Carolina surge late enough to nearly reach the playoffs.
His most recent NFL stop came as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator. After that, he spent time as a consultant at Appalachian State before Washington brought him in.
The move should not be read as a rejection of Jones. Quinn has long valued experience, and Wilks gives him another proven defensive mind to lean on. The Commanders are 3-14 over their last 17 games, so extra help is welcome.
Just as important, Wilks staying out of the game-day role means Jones does not have to coach with someone looking over his shoulder. Washington is keeping the structure intact.
Quinn is still handing Jones the wheel, but now there’s a veteran adviser in the back seat. Wilks, who is respected around the league and has expertise in the secondary, will focus on the broader game-planning work that can help steady the defense.
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