The Commanders are heading into another season of asking Mike Sainristil to be a little bit of everything, and that may be the only thing that has not changed around him.
Washington needs a cleaner, more reliable version of the cornerback in 2025. His second NFL season was uneven, and with 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos starting the year on injured reserve, the margin for error gets even thinner. Improvement is the assignment.
The wrinkle, as head coach Dan Quinn made clear, is that Sainristil is still going to be moved around in Daronte Jones’ defense. The new coordinator’s scheme is aggressive and built around versatility, which gives the Michigan product a path to impact the game both inside and outside. It also keeps the same old debate alive: is he better on the boundary, or should he stay at nickel?
That question has followed Sainristil because his profile creates it. He is undersized, something Washington understood when it drafted him No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That can make life tough in the slot, and it can be even rougher outside against bigger receivers. The constant shifting does not offer much stability, even if he’s become used to it.
Still, there is a player in there who can change games. Sainristil has a real knack for creating turnovers and reading the action before it fully develops.
But the other side of that coin has been too many explosive plays allowed. That’s the issue that has to get cleaned up.
A more disruptive front seven would certainly help, but the burden is not only on the pass rush. Sainristil has to be sharper in coverage and more disciplined with his decisions.
The idea is not to eliminate his aggression. It’s to make sure it shows up at the right time, when the reward is worth the risk.
That’s where Jones comes in. He’s considered a strong teacher, especially with defensive backs, and the Commanders are counting on him to bring more consistency out of Sainristil. If that doesn’t happen, then the conversation starts drifting toward a ceiling already being in place.
For now, Washington is betting that Sainristil can find the right balance in Year 3. He’ll need to understand what Jones wants no matter where he lines up, and he’ll need to do it quickly.
If he does, the Commanders may finally get the version of him they’ve been chasing. If not, they’ll have a much bigger problem on their hands.
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Nearing The End With One Of Their Steadiest Veterans
Tress Way has been one of the most familiar and steady faces in Washington since taking over punting duties in 2014, and the veteran specialist is now openly acknowledging the finish line may be coming into view. Way told reporters the 2026 season could be his last, and he has already let general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn know he is strongly considering retirement.
For a player who has earned three Pro Bowl selections and was recently voted a team captain for the fifth time, the possibility carries real weight inside a locker room that has long leaned on his consistency and professionalism. Way has been part of so much of the franchises recent history that his decision will resonate well beyond special teams, even if the final call is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Depth Chart Just Settled A Few Camp Battles Early
The first depth chart of the 2026 season gave the Commanders an early snapshot of where a few camp competitions stand after the opening stretch of work. Treylon Burks showed up as the third receiver ahead of rookie Antonio Williams, while undrafted rookie Tanoa Togiai landed backup spots at both guard positions, giving Washington a clearer picture of how the early roster puzzle is taking shape on offense.
On the other side of the ball, the back end of the defense stayed mostly familiar, with the top cornerbacks and safeties holding their places. Special teams brought one of the more notable developments, too, as Stevens emerged as the new kicker after beating out Jake Moody, another sign that the roster is starting to sort itself out even if a few jobs still have plenty of camp left to play. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Kyle Shanahan Debate
Kyle Shanahans name has a way of stirring things up in Washington, even when there is no real movement behind the scenes. NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently floated the idea that Shanahans time with the 49ers could come to an end after the upcoming season, and from there the discussion quickly turned to the Commanders, where the connection is obvious enough to get attention. For a franchise still sorting out its long-term identity, any conversation involving Shanahan naturally pulls fans into the larger debate about what the next era could look like.
Still, the path from speculation to reality looks extremely narrow right now. Shanahan is under contract, has his own history with the organization, and his career has long pointed in a different direction than a return to Washington in either a head coach or offensive coordinator role. For now, there have been no official moves or decisions, which leaves this as more of a fan-friendly debate than a true pursuit, even if it is the kind of possibility Commanders supporters will keep talking about. [Read more 🡒]