It's been an up-and-down season for the Washington Commanders at the quarter pole. Head coach Dan Quinn's squad is sitting at 2-2 after losing to the Atlanta Falcons last weekend. The team is also dealing with some significant injury concerns that could hinder their progress.
The Commanders are not out of the fight just yet. They still have plenty of talent across the board, and Quinn seemed hopeful that his top stars could get back into the lineup sooner rather than later. With some tricky games upcoming, that better be the case.
Quinn can ill afford his team to go on a downward spiral. Momentum reached levels not seen for decades last season. Keeping it up was always going to be difficult, but there is no doubt that the Commanders need more from some who aren't quite meeting expectations.
This requires a collective effort. The Commanders built their foundation on brotherhood and resolve during a 2024 campaign that surpassed every expectation imaginable. They will need all that and more to avoid becoming the latest team to flash early before tailing off.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five costly Commanders letdowns who need to raise performance levels.
Costly Commanders' letdowns already sinking the team at the quarter-season mark
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Coming into the season, most fans and analysts thought the Washington Commanders' cornerback unit would become an area of real strength in 2025. There is a long way to go and a lot of football left, but that hasn't come to fruition through four weeks.
The secondary is being exposed with alarming frequency. Several key men are underperforming, which also includes 2024 second-round pick Mike Sainristil.
Fans were expecting Sainristil to cement his status as a legitimate franchise cornerstone after a phenomenal rookie campaign. There have been some impressive moments, but the Commanders are asking him to do too much. It's evident, and adjustments are crucial to prevent this from becoming an ongoing trend.
Sainristil has already conceded 17 receptions through four games, third-worst in the entire league. His 49.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 130th out of 164 qualifying cornerbacks. The former Michigan star managed to secure his first interception of the season in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, but it has been a disappointing contribution overall.
The Commanders need to keep Sainristil in one spot. Moving him around so much isn't having the desired effect. That's the only way things will change for the better.
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Washington Commanders fans were expecting a genuine breakout campaign from standout safety Quan Martin this season. He took a significant step forward as an NFL sophomore, forming a dynamic tandem on the back end with Jeremy Chinn to cement his status as a potentially core part of the team's long-term strategy.
It's early days, but Martin hasn't yet met these raised expectations. The defensive back is missing Chinn's presence. He's struggling to provide adequate support in coverage, and he's already logged five missed tackles through four games.
Martin's 40.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 123rd out of 128 qualifying safeties. The Commanders haven't had much stability alongside him, especially after Will Harris went out through injury. That's placed even more on the Illinois product's shoulders, and he hasn't been able to meet the required standards.
This is mildly concerning, but fans shouldn't write Martin off completely. He proved how influential he can be last season. Things haven't quite clicked as yet, so finding the right solutions to play to his strengths is something defensive Joe Whitt Jr. and his staff must figure out quickly.
Anything less, and Martin could be forced into a prove-it scenario in the final year of his deal in 2026.
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
The Commanders brought Johnny Newton along gradually last season. Their second-round pick endured a turbulent summer after foot surgery, and he became nothing more than a rotational piece during his first season in a professional environment.
There was no need to panic. Even so, the spotlight was glaring to see how he'd fare with a full offseason to hone his craft.
Newton's once again flashed promise, but he's losing ground. The former Illinois standout is a potentially explosive pass-rusher, but he remains a lackluster presence against the run. Perhaps more concerning is the fact that his snap count has plummeted over the first four weeks of 2025.
After logging 51 percent of Washington's defensive snaps last season, Newton has accumulated just 32% this time around. Javon Kinlaw has surged into the starting spot vacated by Jonathan Allen. Eddie Goldman is being preferred by the coaching staff when rotations are needed on early downs. That's a damning indictment of how the second-year pro's talent, especially in the run game, is being perceived.
Fans were anticipating more from Newton this season. All hope is not lost just yet, but he's in danger of becoming a rotational 3-technique brought in for obvious pass-rushing situations rather than a legitimate three-down presence right now.
Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB
Anyone expecting miracles from Von Miller was kidding themselves. The Washington Commanders secured the future Pro Football Hall of Fame edge rusher's services to be nothing more than a situational performer. He's firmly in the twilight of his glittering career, and the cracks are starting to show.
Father Time catches up to everyone in the end. Miller was considered among the league's most ferocious pass-rushers in his prime. He's a Super Bowl MVP and a three-time All-Pro with 131.5 career sacks. But the powerful presence he once portrayed is long gone.
Miller does have 1.5 sacks from 38 percent of the team's snaps, but that doesn't tell the whole story. He's lost the dynamism that made him almost unstoppable at the peak of his powers. The former Texas A&M standout is a liability against the run, and he's struggling to generate consistent pressure.
This was always the risk. The Commanders don't have much choice other than to keep playing Miller due to the injury problems they are currently dealing with. His experience and flashes are enough to suffice if others perform above expectations. Still, it's no surprise to see opposing teams actively target him as a weak link, especially when they run the football.
Marshon Lattimore- Commanders CB
Hopes were incredibly high around Marshon Lattimore heading into his first full season with the Commanders. The veteran cornerback acquired via trade at great expense was limited by a hamstring complication he couldn't quite shake off in 2024. He looked healthy and explosive this summer, so fans were eager to see improvements from the four-time Pro Bowler.
They haven't come to fruition as yet. Lattimore had some outstanding moments where he appeared to be a legitimate shutdown option. But the blueprint is now out on how to expose his growing frailties.
Lattimore isn't coping well with pre-snap motions. He's struggling to keep up with explosive receivers downfield. There are some technical flaws with his ball-tracking, which led to several frustrating defensive holding penalties in critical moments.
The former Ohio State star remains defiant. Lattimore is confident that things can turn around quickly, but actions speak far louder than words.
Adam Peters made a significant investment in Lattimore. Whether this was down to Ron Rivera choosing Emmanuel Forbes Jr. over Christian Gonzalez or the team being ahead of schedule is anyone's guess. Still, the defensive back needs to start repaying this faith as a matter of urgency.
Otherwise, Peters could trade or release him next spring.