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Washington Football Team 2021 season preview: What’s different?

By Tim Payne

Jun 10, 2021; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera stands on the field during drills as part of minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2021; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera stands on the field during drills as part of minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with defensive end Chase Young #99 after an interception during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: Strong safety Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with defensive end Chase Young #99 after an interception during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The defense will be better, even if they don’t rank as high.

The Washington Football Team’s defense was statistically the 4th best in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Reference.

While some of that has to do with the terrible QBs they played against (paging Ben DiNucci, Brandon Allen, Nate Sudfeld and Nick Mullens), the upgrades they made this season, combined with having their entire core back, should more than offset any increase in difficulty of competition.

Chase Young should be healthy and more comfortable in his second season. Matt Ioannidis is back. William Jackson III is a big upgrade over Ronald Darby. Jamin Davis should be a massive upgrade over Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Bobby McCain should provide stability at FS.

Add in promising rookie Benjamin St-Juste and a slew of high-upside, late-round pass rushers, and there’s a lot to look forward to with this defense. All in all, it’s tough to end up in the top-5 statistically, but expect this defense to be better this season. More dominant, more consistent, and deeper.

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