Commanders hire longtime coach Steve Wilks on part-time basis to help with defensive struggles

The Washington Commanders have hired Steve Wilks on a part-time basis to assist with their defensive struggles. According to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, the team brought in the defensive assistant and former Arizona Cardinals head coach to help with game-planning. This move marks Wilks' first position in the league since being fired as the Jets' defensive coordinator in December.

Despite being brought in to bolster the defense, Wilks will only be on the team's staff as a part-time assistant, working Sundays and leaving after practice on Wednesdays. Wilks has a long history in the league as a defensive coach, having spent time with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, and Carolina Panthers before becoming Arizona's head coach in 2018, where he was fired after a 3-13 season.

Since then, he has worked as a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Missouri, San Francisco 49ers, and the Jets, including leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2023. Despite the part-time nature of the role, Wilks is expected to provide a valuable boost to the struggling Commanders defense, which is currently near the bottom of the league in several key categories. The team is currently at 1-4-1 on the year, sitting at the bottom of the NFC East standings.