With just four games left in a season that’s spiraled into disappointment, the Washington Commanders find themselves in a familiar but uncomfortable place - playing for pride. The playoff picture is long gone.
The losses have piled up. But what remains is a chance to show resolve, heart, and maybe - just maybe - lay the foundation for something better in 2026.
And if you ask defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, this stretch isn’t meaningless. Not even close.
Kinlaw: "You really see who's got heart"
Kinlaw, a free-agent addition this past offseason, didn’t sugarcoat it when speaking with 7News DC’s Scott Abraham. He knows this part of the schedule - four division games, nothing on the line but pride - is where the truth comes out.
Who’s still fighting? Who’s checked out?
Who’s worth keeping around when the inevitable roster overhaul begins?
“It’s very important,” Kinlaw said. “For one, to see who got heart and who doesn’t, you know what I’m saying?
That’s what it’s about. When you ain’t playing for nothing, it’s different.
You really see who’s got heart and who don’t. Like I said before, all these guys around here got heart.
I think we’re going to come out and try to play to win every game. It don’t really matter.”
That kind of mindset might not show up in the standings, but it matters - to teammates, to coaches, and to the front office decision-makers who are already eyeing major changes this offseason.
A team in transition - and under evaluation
Let’s be clear: Kinlaw hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations that came with his contract. But he’s also not going anywhere - at least not in the short term.
That gives him a unique perspective. He’s part of the current core, but he’s also watching closely to see who’s worth building with.
These final four games? They’re auditions.
Not just for the young guys trying to earn a roster spot, but for veterans too. Effort matters.
Body language matters. The tape doesn’t lie - and neither will Kinlaw’s judgment.
This is where leadership steps up. Not just in the locker room speeches, but in the way players prepare, the way they compete, the way they respond to adversity.
It’s easy to coast when the season’s lost. It’s harder to dig in and fight anyway.
Four division games. Four chances to show something.
The Commanders’ final stretch isn’t soft. It’s all NFC East opponents, including two games against a team that’s been a thorn in their side for years - and the only NFC squad that stood in their way the last time Washington sniffed real postseason relevance.
That’s not nothing. There’s still a chance to play spoiler. There’s still a chance to send a message, both to the rest of the league and to themselves.
Because this isn’t just about finishing strong. It’s about identifying who’s part of the solution.
Who’s going to be in that locker room when the rebuild takes shape. And who’s going to be somewhere else.
Fans will be watching, too
Commanders fans are a passionate bunch. They’ve stuck through the rough patches - and there have been plenty.
They know what effort looks like. They know when a player’s giving it everything, and when someone’s going through the motions.
And if they can see it, so can the coaching staff. So can the front office.
That’s why this final stretch matters more than the standings suggest. It’s about personal pride.
It’s about professionalism. It’s about showing that the jersey still means something, even when the postseason doesn’t.
So when you tune in these next few weeks, keep an eye on who’s flying to the ball, who’s blocking through the whistle, who’s standing tall when the scoreboard isn’t in their favor. That’s where the real story is.
Because for Kinlaw and the rest of this Commanders team, these four games are more than just the end of a tough season. They’re a test of character - and the first chapter of what comes next.