The Washington Commanders are counting on Sonny Styles to become a defensive difference-maker, but his first NFL preseason outing gave fans plenty to chew on.
Selected by Washington with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ohio State linebacker stepped into a team that badly needs help on defense. The Commanders missed the playoffs in 2025 after reaching the NFC Championship Game the year before, and Styles is being asked to help change that trajectory.
His preseason debut over the weekend, though, didn’t exactly calm nerves. Styles started at middle linebacker, but the performance was quiet enough that a video of every snap from the game quickly spread on social media and sparked concern about what the early returns might mean. It’s only one preseason game, but the lack of impact stood out.
Fans were quick to point out what they saw on the tape. “Would like to see this tape broken down by an actual expert because as a casual fan, its easy to say he didnt make a play but it doesnt really seem like he was out of position,” one fan noted.
“Him keeping up w the TEs (Dulcich maybe?) was impressive but he guessed wrong on almost every gap in the run,” one fan added.
“Athletic but slow to react might take a minute to adjust to nfl speed,” one fan added.
Styles didn’t try to dress it up after the game. “Me and [LB] Leo [Chenal] were a little frustrated,” Styles said with a smile after the game. “One drive, one touchdown, like 15 plays, so, not ideal, but go again next week.”
That’s the right tone for a rookie trying to settle in. But for Washington, the expectation is bigger than patience. Styles was drafted to make plays, and the Commanders will need much more than a quiet debut if this pick is going to look right.
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