The Washington Commanders head into the offseason with a clear objective on defense: get faster, more disruptive, and more consistent up front.
Free agency could provide immediate answers. Jaelan Phillips brings explosiveness and pass-rush upside off the edge, while Quay Walker offers speed and range at linebacker, which are two traits the Commanders have been missing at times. Both players fit the age curve and timeline of a defense in need of a reset.
The draft also looms large. Washington could target an edge rusher with real pass-rush juice who can impact games early, even if refinement against the run is still needed. That developmental balance may be exactly what this roster can afford.
This offseason isn’t about one move, as it’s about layering talent through smart free-agent fits and draft investments. The Commanders have options, and how they approach defense could define the next phase of this rebuild.
