The Washington Commanders are heading into 2026 with a defense that sounds built to attack. And when Dan Quinn was asked what fans should look for in Week 1 against the Eagles, he didn’t get fancy with it.
“speed and aggression.”
That was Quinn’s first answer on “The Gameplan” with Logan Paulsen and Bryan Colbert Jr., and it fits the direction Washington has been pointing all summer under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Coming over from Minnesota, where he worked as the defensive backs coach under Brian Flores, Jones brings the kind of approach that usually comes with pressure from all over the field, disguised looks, exotic blitzes, and more chances to force turnovers.
The tricky part for outsiders has been getting a clean read on it. Jones kept a tight lid on things through training camp and the preseason, so while people outside the building were busy forecasting everything from another bad defense to an “inoperable” offense, the Commanders were staying patient and confident.
Quinn made a deliberate choice in hiring Jones earlier this year. He interviewed a number of candidates, had no previous connection to Jones, and still went with him even though Jones runs a different scheme. Quinn also handed him full control of the defense.
That trust shows up in the way Quinn talks about the unit now. He described Jones as “an excellent teacher” and said the offseason work has gone smoothly from the spring onward.
“His mindset is to be aggressive. He’s an excellent teacher.
So, from the spring, we haven’t missed one step. I think he’s raised everybody’s football IQ, knowing this is a defense that has some checks that will take place at the line of scrimmage.
So, it’s not just, ‘Hey, here’s the call and run it no matter what it is.’ The players have some influence.
They can get in and out of some things based on different looks. So, I think that’s the sign of an excellent teacher."
Washington’s optimism isn’t just about the scheme. The roster has been upgraded too, with the Commanders getting younger, longer, and faster through additions like Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal, Sonny Styles, Nick Cross and Tim Settle, among others.
Put the new coordinator together with that kind of talent boost at every level, and the expectation is obvious: this defense should be better. How much better will start to come into focus on Sunday.
In Other News...
Stefon Diggs Faced A Big Commanders Test After Costly Mistake
Stefon Diggs gave Washington an unexpected lesson in how quickly a big play can turn into a costly one after his ill-advised touchdown celebration near the goalpost wiped out the chance for the Commanders to try a two-point conversion against the Eagles. For a team trying to stack wins and sharpen the little details, it was the kind of mistake that stands out immediately because it changes more than just the next snap.
Dan Quinn said Diggs later apologized privately to the team and promised to be more self-aware moving forward, and the veteran receiver also stepped up in the locker room to own it. The episode left the Commanders with a frustrating what-if, but it also showed how quickly accountability matters inside a team that expects its leaders to respond the right way when something goes sideways. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Raised The Stakes For Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil had a rough night against the Eagles, and it showed up in the biggest moments of Washingtons loss. The second-year corner was part of the breakdowns that helped tilt the game, and head coach Dan Quinn did not shy away from putting the spotlight on his focus and execution after the fact. For a player who had been building trust in a young secondary, it was the kind of public nudge that instantly raises the temperature.
Now the conversation is no longer just about one bad outing, but about what comes next if the lapses continue. Washington has options behind him, including veterans and other prospects who could force a change in the cornerback pecking order if Quinn and the staff decide the standard is not being met. For Sainristil, the margin for error just got a lot thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Adam Peters Must Answer
The Commanders cornerback group came out of Week 1 with more questions than answers, and it showed up in a loss that left Washington searching for help on the back end. With the defense under pressure early, the idea of adding another starting-caliber corner has started to make the rounds, and Pittsburghs Joey Porter Jr. has quickly become the name to watch.
Porter is still playing on his rookie deal and has yet to land an extension, which only adds to the trade buzz around him. Whether Adam Peters decides to push on a deal is another matter, since any move would have to balance the price in compensation with the long-term contract piece, but the Commanders clearly have a defensive issue that could force their hand. [Read more 🡒]