Commanders' defense starting to take shape in 2026

In 2026, the Washington Commanders' defense is starting to take shape, with new offensive and defensive coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones leading the charge. Blough, who previously served as the Commanders' quarterbacks coach, has seamlessly transitioned into his new role. Jones, on the other hand, is a first-time defensive coordinator in the NFL, inheriting a defense that had only a few familiar faces but has brought in a number of new players.

The challenge for Jones lies in getting the players to understand and buy into the new scheme and personality of the defense. However, it appears that the Commanders have overcome this hurdle, and the defense is now focusing on executing plays efficiently. Jones' defense boasts a plethora of looks, as pointed out by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, and the team has the necessary pieces to execute them.

The offensive line has shown remarkable versatility, with players like Javon Kinlaw, Odafe Oweh, and K'Lavon Chaisson fitting the mold of versatile players. Additionally, the highly touted seventh-round pick Sonny Styles has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the defense. The development of trust among the new faces is still a work in progress, but the Commanders' defense has shown signs of improvement in the preseason, despite the low bar set by the comparison to the 2025 team.

Only time will tell how well Jones has built this defense, but for now, the outlook remains positive.