The Washington Commanders’ secondary has been easy to pick on this offseason, and on paper, it’s not hard to see why. Last year’s cornerback and safety play was rough, and the only notable additions so far have been strong safety Nick Cross and some cornerback depth.
But the noise around that group may be louder than the reality.
On the BMitch and Finlay Show, J.P. Finlay of NBC Sports and former Washington standout Brian Mitchell both pointed to the same idea: the Commanders’ defensive backfield could look a lot better in 2026 than many expect.
The biggest reason is what’s happening in front of them. An improved pass rush and a more functional front seven can make life a whole lot easier for the back end.
Mitchell specifically highlighted Will Harris, who isn’t new to the roster but was limited to nine games in an injury-hit 2025 season. Under new coordinator Daronte Jones, Harris’ versatility could be used in more ways, giving Washington a piece it can move around instead of locking into one job.
Rasul Douglas adds another layer of flexibility. He could end up as the Commanders’ top corner, or he could be a veteran reserve who comes off the bench in certain situations. Either way, his experience should matter for a young unit that needs steadiness.
The linebacker group may end up being the biggest help of all. With Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson arriving to boost the pass rush, plus No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal bringing different looks on the interior, opposing offenses may not be able to sit back and pick apart Washington with short throws all day.
If the front seven can create pressure and keep quarterbacks from getting comfortable, the secondary should be forced into tougher situations instead of getting stretched by easy, controlled drives. The Commanders still have to avoid surrendering the big strike plays, but that’s a much more manageable ask than being exposed snap after snap.
There’s more, too. Trey Amos is expected back at full health in Year 2, and Mike Sainristil should get a full season as a boundary corner, a role where he has been more productive in the NFL than he was in the slot. Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon also give Washington quality depth.
No one will know exactly how this all fits together until the games start. Still, the panic over the Commanders’ defensive backfield may be getting ahead of itself.
In Other News...
Commanders May Finally Be Forced To Fix Their Biggest Offensive Problem
The Commanders have spent much of the offseason trying to round out the roster around Jayden Daniels, but the one area that still looks thin is receiver. General manager Adam Peters has not shut the door on trades, and that matters now because Washington may need more than internal optimism to give the passing game another reliable layer.
Among the names floating around are Calvin Ridley and Rashod Bateman, two very different bets with different kinds of risk attached. Ridley brings the kind of proven track record that can change a room, while Bateman is the younger swing who has not quite delivered the way Baltimore hoped, even after a season that left plenty of questions about his future there. For Washington, the bigger issue is not just whether help is available, but whether the right deal can be found before the market tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Suddenly Face An Uncomfortable Question About A Franchise Veteran
As the NFC turns toward 2026 training camp, a handful of familiar names are already showing up in trade chatter, and the Commanders are part of that conversation for reasons that go beyond simple roster speculation. Washingtons defense has been a talking point for months, and when teams start weighing cap space, depth and contract timelines, veteran players with real value tend to draw attention fast.
Daron Payne fits that profile, which is why his name keeps surfacing in leaguewide discussions even if Washington has no obvious reason to rush anything. The Commanders would have to be blown away to seriously consider moving him, and the other path to a deal would likely involve the season taking a turn that changes the front offices calculus. For now, it is the kind of situation that hangs in the background until camp injuries, depth-chart shifts or a slow start force everyone to look at it differently. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis Is Making A Strong First Impression
Athan Kaliakmanis is already making a noticeable first impression in Washington, and not just because of what he can do with a football in his hands. The Commanders rookie quarterback took part in the inaugural NFC East Rookies Challenge at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, where the event also helped support the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and gave the teams newest passer a chance to show up in a different kind of spotlight.
Kaliakmanis came away as the challenge champion after handling the Wave Pool and Lazy River competitions, but the bigger takeaway for Washington is how quickly he seems to be settling in. He spoke about joining the Commanders, learning from teammates and approaching his first NFL opportunity with the right mindset, and that combination of competitiveness and humility is exactly the sort of early signal teams like to see from a rookie quarterback. [Read more 🡒]