Commanders Look to Rebuild Defensive Identity with Key Coaching Moves and Roster Questions
The Washington Commanders are wasting no time reshaping their defensive staff after a forgettable 2025 campaign. According to multiple reports, the team is working to bring LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen aboard. While his exact role has yet to be defined-especially with Tommy Donatell already in place as safeties coach and William Gay handling cornerbacks-Olsen would be another fresh face on a defensive staff that’s clearly in overhaul mode.
This move would mark the second time this offseason Washington has dipped into the college ranks. Earlier, they brought in Eric Henderson, the former USC co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, to lead their defensive line unit. Henderson’s known for developing aggressive, high-motor fronts, and now Olsen could offer another layer of schematic insight and player development as the Commanders try to rebound from a disastrous year on defense.
Johnny Newton’s Fit in a Shifting Scheme
One of the bigger questions facing this new-look staff is how to best utilize defensive lineman Johnny Newton. Under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, there’s speculation that Washington could lean more into 3-4 fronts. That would be a significant shift-and one that could complicate Newton’s role.
Newton, listed at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, is a classic B-gap player. He thrives shooting gaps and using leverage to disrupt plays inside.
But in a base 3-4, there’s no obvious home for someone with his build. He doesn’t have the length to consistently hold the edge, nor the mass to anchor over the center.
Even in college, scouts questioned how his frame would hold up against NFL-level guards. The consensus?
He’d need a bigger body next to him to maximize his impact.
That’s the same blueprint the Rams followed when they paired Poona Ford-similar in size to Newton-with the stout Kobie Turner. It worked in L.A. precisely because Ford wasn’t asked to do too much on his own.
Washington may have been thinking along the same lines when they signed Javon Kinlaw last offseason. On paper, Kinlaw’s size and versatility could complement Newton’s skill set.
But so far, the pairing hasn’t produced the results the front office hoped for.
Kinlaw brings the ability to line up over center or at end in a 3-4, but Newton’s usage has been far more limited. In his most promising outing-Washington’s late-season matchup against Dallas-he played two-thirds of his snaps from the B-gap.
That’s been his bread and butter. But if Daronte Jones overhauls the alignment, that spot may not be available anymore.
So what now? Newton’s path forward likely means adapting to a new role.
That could mean bulking up, refining his technique to handle more double teams, or carving out a niche as a situational disruptor. Either way, he’ll need to evolve if he wants to become the player Washington envisioned when they brought him in back in 2024.
The Pressure is On to Fix This Defense
Let’s call it what it was: the Commanders’ defense was a liability in 2024. In 2025, it got worse.
They struggled in every phase-tackling, pass rush, run defense, and limiting explosive plays. It got so bad that head coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. ahead of Week 11.
Since then, the team has made some significant changes. David Blough is in as the new offensive coordinator, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. On defense, Daronte Jones steps in to replace Whitt and will be tasked with reviving a unit that lacked identity and execution.
The offense, at least, has some foundational pieces in place. Jayden Daniels showed flashes of real promise at quarterback.
Terry McLaurin remains a go-to weapon on the outside. And the offensive line, anchored by left tackle Laremy Tunsil, is trending up.
But the defense? That side of the ball is still very much under construction.
General manager Adam Peters has work to do. Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or both, Washington needs an infusion of talent-and fast.
If this team wants to be taken seriously in the NFC East, the defense has to at least be serviceable. Top-15 in most categories, force turnovers, get off the field on third down-that’s the baseline.
For too long, Washington’s defense has been the cure for struggling quarterbacks. That has to end.
Cowboys Offseason: Jerry Jones Promises Aggression-Now It’s Time to Deliver
Over in Dallas, the offseason is already heating up with the kind of bold proclamations we’ve come to expect from Jerry Jones. The longtime Cowboys owner says he’s ready to “bust the budget” in free agency-something he hasn’t done in over a decade.
Jones has long been one of the league’s most visible owners, and while his franchise continues to dominate in value and visibility, the on-field results haven’t kept pace. He trails Robert Kraft in Lombardi Trophies, and watching the Patriots make another Super Bowl run post-Brady and Belichick hasn’t gone unnoticed.
One area where New England separated itself in 2025? Spending.
The Patriots led the league with nearly $193 million in guaranteed money handed out in free agency. Seattle wasn’t far behind at $101.5 million.
The Cowboys? Just $23.4 million-near the bottom of the league.
That might be changing. Jones has already signaled a more aggressive approach this offseason, starting with the hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, poaching him from division rival Philadelphia.
The next step? Retaining key pieces like wide receiver George Pickens, who is expected to be franchise tagged to keep him off the open market.
After that, Dallas is expected to make a serious run at defensive upgrades through free agency. Jones hasn’t spent like this since he gave $50 million to cornerback Brandon Carr 14 years ago. Whether he follows through remains to be seen, but the early signs suggest this offseason could be different.
Skepticism is fair-Jones has made similar promises before. But if he’s serious about closing the gap on Kraft and getting the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl, it starts now.
Free agency opens March 11. That’s when we’ll find out if the talk turns into action.