Adam Peters has been hard at work this offseason, shaking up a Washington Commanders roster that struggled with a 5-12 record last year, largely due to age and injuries. Under the guidance of head coach Dan Quinn, the defense is set for a major transformation with new coordinator Daronte Jones at the helm.
Expect to see a fresh lineup with potentially four or five new starters. Edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Nick Cross, and possibly Tim Settle Jr. or Amik Robertson in situational roles, are all expected to make their mark. Yet, there's one area that remains a glaring concern.
The Commanders are gearing up for a linebacker-heavy 3-4 scheme under Jones, featuring three interior linemen. However, the trio set to anchor this formation isn't exactly striking fear into opponents.
In the spotlight are Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, both returning from a season of erratic performances. There was talk of trading Payne, but those plans never materialized.
As for Kinlaw, the Commanders are committed after a hefty contract last summer. Last season, Payne and Kinlaw managed just three sacks between them-all from the 2022 Pro Bowler-and their run defense left much to be desired.
Improved support from the edge could ease their burden, but they need to elevate their game significantly.
Joining them is Tim Settle, back with the team that drafted him in 2018. While he's familiar territory, Settle's impact has been limited to a rotational role, and as he enters his ninth season, the upside seems minimal.
The Commanders are also banking on Johnny Newton to make strides in his third year. Drafted in the second round in 2024, Newton's struggles against the run have been too pronounced to rely on him as a three-down player. If he doesn't step up to at least a valuable supporting role, it could spell trouble.
Depth beyond these players is thin. Who else can rise to the occasion?
Ricky Barber? Shy Tuttle?
Jeffrey M'ba? These names might just be filling out the training camp roster.
While the Commanders have made commendable progress in bolstering their defense this summer, the interior line remains a critical weak spot. They'll need to address this vulnerability or risk it becoming a significant setback.
In Other News...
Commanders Fans May Be Reconsidering That $96 Million Oweh Gamble
The Commanders did not hesitate when they handed Odafe Oweh a four-year, $96 million contract in free agency, betting big on an edge rusher they believe can lift a pass rush that needed more bite. Former tight end and team analyst Logan Paulsen came away impressed with what he saw during the offseason program, and that kind of internal buzz matters when Washington is trying to reshape the front under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Owehs early impression has only added to the optimism around a pass-rush group that has been reinforced in other spots as well. Washington brought in more help to chase quarterbacks, but the real question now is whether Oweh can turn those encouraging spring signs into the kind of consistent pressure that makes the rest of the defense work the way the Commanders envisioned when they made the deal. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Finally Have The Right Moment For Ben Sinnott
Washingtons offense is heading into a different phase after David Blough was promoted to offensive coordinator in place of Kliff Kingsbury, and that shift could matter for players beyond the obvious names like Terry McLaurin. Ben Sinnott is one of the more interesting watchpoints, because the second-year tight end is positioned to have a larger role as the Commanders adjust what they want to do structurally and how they want to feature the middle of the field.
Former tight end Logan Paulsen sees a path for Sinnott to benefit from the change in scenery and the change in scheme, even with Chig Okonkwo now in the building. He pointed to the way Trey McBrides role grew after coaching changes in Arizona, which is the kind of comp that hints at opportunity without guaranteeing it. For Sinnott, the question now is less about whether the opening exists and more about how quickly Washington turns it into real production. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Offensive Line Suddenly Has Fans Second Guessing Everything
The Commanders offensive line is drawing a fresh round of scrutiny after a recent all-32 ranking slotted the group 22nd in the league, a reminder that even with some major investment up front, the picture is still a work in progress. Washington has made Laremy Tunsil the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, and that kind of commitment usually signals stability, but the rest of the unit has been in more of a shuffle than a finished state.
Nick Allegretti is now positioned to handle center after getting a one-year extension, Chris Paul is back on another one-year deal and set to battle Brandon Coleman for the left guard spot, and the front office has clearly left itself room to keep sorting things out. The biggest question for the Commanders is whether the current mix can become a reliable five-man group quickly enough, because the evaluation of this line still seems to hinge on what happens next rather than what has already been settled. [Read more 🡒]