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If the Washington Commanders are going to claim last season's 5-12 season was an outlier, their defense in 2026 better improve. The good news is that Washington's defense can only go up after being disastrous in almost every metric last season.
General manager Adam Peters used the Commanders' abundance of cap space this offseason to improve the defense at all three levels, especially the front seven. Washington added edges Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu, defensive tackle Tim Settle, linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerback Amik Robertson and safety Nick Cross in free agency. Then, with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders selected Ohio State All-American linebacker Sonny Styles.
Additionally, Washington has a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, who comes from the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked under Brian Flores. There is excitement surrounding the Flores-influenced defense that Washington will run under Jones in 2026.
Matt Okada of NFL.com recently revealed one defining number for each team in 2026. For the Commanders, it's about the defense: 384.3.
The Commanders can't be any worse on defense in 2026. That doesn't mean only being slightly better would be satisfying. It wouldn't be. Washington expects significant improvement on defense next season, which should positively impact quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense.
After all, the goal of the entire organization should be to help Daniels. While many focus on what the Commanders did or didn't do on offense this offseason, the improved defense is the best thing Peters could've done to help his franchise quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: One defining number for 2026 season
Continue reading...
General manager Adam Peters used the Commanders' abundance of cap space this offseason to improve the defense at all three levels, especially the front seven. Washington added edges Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu, defensive tackle Tim Settle, linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerback Amik Robertson and safety Nick Cross in free agency. Then, with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders selected Ohio State All-American linebacker Sonny Styles.
Additionally, Washington has a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, who comes from the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked under Brian Flores. There is excitement surrounding the Flores-influenced defense that Washington will run under Jones in 2026.
Matt Okada of NFL.com recently revealed one defining number for each team in 2026. For the Commanders, it's about the defense: 384.3.
The Commanders can't be any worse on defense in 2026. That doesn't mean only being slightly better would be satisfying. It wouldn't be. Washington expects significant improvement on defense next season, which should positively impact quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense.
After all, the goal of the entire organization should be to help Daniels. While many focus on what the Commanders did or didn't do on offense this offseason, the improved defense is the best thing Peters could've done to help his franchise quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: One defining number for 2026 season
Continue reading...
