Everyone across the Washington Commanders has a big point to prove next season. A five-win campaign when most envisaged a deep playoff run will do that, but the urgency is clearly high enough to put things right at the earliest possible opportunity.
It's been an eventful offseason on the recruitment front. General manager Adam Peters was aggressive in free agency, signing some immediate difference-makers and enhancing depth across the board with his customary conviction. The Commanders didn't have many draft picks to work with, especially at the top end, but the front-office leader still managed to find real value.
Now, the onus is on head coach Dan Quinn and his staff to mold this group into a cohesive, competitive team. He's taken some big risks as well, hiring two new coordinators with no NFL play-calling experience to replace Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. But after expectations fell well short in 2025, drastic action was needed to get the Commanders out of their slump.
Things look more promising on paper. However, that will count for nothing if the Commanders cannot come through when it matters most. And after an offseason full of fresh concerns and lingering criticism, there are some established figures looking for redemption.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders veterans who could make their doubters look extremely foolish during the 2026 campaign.
Washington Commanders veterans who could make doubters look foolish in 2026
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders are placing faith in Mike Sainristil once again. There was not much urgency to land a top free agent target, and Adam Peters didn't select a cornerback during the 2026 NFL Draft. Though surprising, it means all hope is not lost with the former Michigan standout just yet.
Sainristil had some impressive moments last season. He also gave up too many explosive plays. His lack of prototypical size became an ongoing complication, and flip-flopping between the boundary and the nickel didn't help his positional stability either.
Daronte Jones' arrival as defensive coordinator could be a game-changer for Sainristil. His work with cornerbacks and safeties at previous stops came in for significant praise. He should be able to bring more out of the third-year pro, and he'll also know how best to maximize his opportunistic skill set for good measure.
Trey Amos, Amik Robertson, and Ahkello Witherspoon should also feature prominently. But if Jones can ignite the spark within Sainristil, this could be a potential wildcard that takes Washington's defense to a different level.
Add us as a preferred source on Google