Hogs Haven
Commanders.com
Washington’s defensive performances over the last month, particularly in the Week 9 loss to the Seahawks, “have not been up to the standard at all,” Whitt said. The unit, which had issues during the 2024 season but still managed to hold offenses at bay, has slipped in almost every metric in 2025, as it ranks near the bottom in average yards allowed per game (28th), passing defense (29th) and points allowed per game (22nd). They have also struggled to create turnovers and are tied for the third fewest in the league.
The Commanders believe moving Whitt to the field can help improve at least some of those numbers, although it will come at the cost of certain advantages. Most of the defensive coordinators that Whitt has coached with, from Quinn himself to Mike Pettine, have all called plays from the box because the vantage point allowed them to get a better view of the field and make better personnel decisions.
But with the Commanders allowing 110 points in the last three weeks, Whitt is willing to sacrifice that advantage if it means his unit can play better. The blame for how the defense has drooped this season, he said, starts with him.
“I gotta do a better job getting the coaches to get the players to understand how we’re going to do it,” Whitt said. “And we gotta get this thing turned. We gotta get it turned right now.”
Washington Post (paywall)
Do you agree [General Manager Adam] Peters must now start over and build a younger roster around Mr. [Jayden] Daniels? — Ron Tipton
Tashan: I’d push back against the notion that the Commanders need to start over, but I agree they need to get younger. They can take steps toward doing that through free agency, but they also have looming decisions about whether to extend players such as left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Daron Payne — and Daniels will become expensive in 2028. Adding more sizable contracts to the books increases the importance of adding more young, cheap talent. The primary method of doing that, of course, is through the draft. Washington has just two picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 draft. It would be wise for Peters to try to change that through swinging some offseason trades.
In terms of specific areas where the Commanders need to improve, the list is long. Investing in the offensive and defensive trenches is always a good idea; Daniels could use another weapon or two on offense; the back end of the defense needs major help; and the collective depth on both sides of the ball needs to be addressed.
What do you think was the biggest mistake that was made in the offseason when putting this team together? — Mark Jones
Tom:...
