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The Washington Commanders have turned a new page on defense with new, young pieces now leading renewed optimism under new coordinator Daronte Jones.
Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson will be a big part in answering whether the defense will be able to generate more pressure -- and consistently -- in 2026, while the additions of Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles upgrade the linebacker rotation. Cornerback Rasul Douglas is expected to become the latest piece in a cornerback room that has more experience after also adding Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon to a room that returns Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil. Nick Cross also returns to the DMV to not just mark a homecoming, but also become a weapon in the defense with a chance to make plays inside the box and around the line of scrimmage.
Whether the pieces mesh together, and how well that comes to fruition, will be tested early with a pair of divisional games on the road followed by welcoming the defending Super Bowl champions for the 2026 home opener. Yet while the focus is on what's ahead, one Commander from last year's team made headlines after Von Miller appeared on a podcast.
Von Miller admitted he "picked the wrong team" in 2025.
“For me, with the Washington Commanders, I just felt like Jayden Daniels was poised for another great season,” Miller said. “His rookie season went all the way to the NFC Championship, and last year, he got hit with injuries, not just at the quarterback position, but all over the place. And those are some of the things that you just can’t calculate on teams.”
It may be understandable criticism given the veteran has been transparent that Super Bowl aspirations drives his interest at this stage in his career, yet endured a five-win season. Miller's other suitor? Seattle, who went on to win the Super Bowl while battling through a brutal division alongside the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Still, it's a bold statement for a veteran still looking to find a new home.
While the pass rush was inconsistent all season with Miller part of the solution, the veteran also ended the season with a team-high nine sacks, the most he's recorded since combining for 9.5 during the 2021 season after splitting the year with both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams.
Miller has wavered about his interest in where to play in 2026 through the offseason, initially pointing to year two in Washington as something he's interested in before pivoting to talk about a reunion in Denver. Miller previously inked with Washington on a one year deal last offseason with his market quiet heading into the rest of July, though that is also consistent with several other available veteran free agents like Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel and Joey Bosa among others.
Commanders Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Commanders. Create an account, click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis and more!
Continue reading...
Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson will be a big part in answering whether the defense will be able to generate more pressure -- and consistently -- in 2026, while the additions of Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles upgrade the linebacker rotation. Cornerback Rasul Douglas is expected to become the latest piece in a cornerback room that has more experience after also adding Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon to a room that returns Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil. Nick Cross also returns to the DMV to not just mark a homecoming, but also become a weapon in the defense with a chance to make plays inside the box and around the line of scrimmage.
Whether the pieces mesh together, and how well that comes to fruition, will be tested early with a pair of divisional games on the road followed by welcoming the defending Super Bowl champions for the 2026 home opener. Yet while the focus is on what's ahead, one Commander from last year's team made headlines after Von Miller appeared on a podcast.
Von Miller admitted he "picked the wrong team" in 2025.
“For me, with the Washington Commanders, I just felt like Jayden Daniels was poised for another great season,” Miller said. “His rookie season went all the way to the NFC Championship, and last year, he got hit with injuries, not just at the quarterback position, but all over the place. And those are some of the things that you just can’t calculate on teams.”
It may be understandable criticism given the veteran has been transparent that Super Bowl aspirations drives his interest at this stage in his career, yet endured a five-win season. Miller's other suitor? Seattle, who went on to win the Super Bowl while battling through a brutal division alongside the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Still, it's a bold statement for a veteran still looking to find a new home.
While the pass rush was inconsistent all season with Miller part of the solution, the veteran also ended the season with a team-high nine sacks, the most he's recorded since combining for 9.5 during the 2021 season after splitting the year with both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams.
Miller has wavered about his interest in where to play in 2026 through the offseason, initially pointing to year two in Washington as something he's interested in before pivoting to talk about a reunion in Denver. Miller previously inked with Washington on a one year deal last offseason with his market quiet heading into the rest of July, though that is also consistent with several other available veteran free agents like Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel and Joey Bosa among others.
Commanders Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Commanders. Create an account, click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis and more!
Continue reading...
