The Washington Commanders kicked off the legal tampering window with a bang after another significant statement of intent from general manager Adam Peters.
It also happened to be the perfect replacement for recently released defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
Commanders kick off free agency with Javon Kinlaw splash
Fans were eagerly anticipating which players would come to join this ambitious project. The Commanders are an attractive destination again after a complete culture shift across the franchise and reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024. Peters has a lot of hard work ahead, but signing Javon Kinlaw to a three-year deal is a major step in the right direction.
Kinlaw was always going to cash in this offseason. He performed exceptionally well for the New York Jets in 2024, accumulating 4.5 sacks, 40 tackles, and two forced fumbles and confirming his status as a top-level performer league-wide. This also solves a significant need for the Commanders in their quest to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles.
This won't solve every issue the Commanders have, but it gets them closer. Kinlaw fits the mold of what Washington is trying to build. He's aggressive, athletic, and capable of producing the goods at the highest level.
This is a lot of money for Kinlaw, there's no getting away from that. But if anyone knows how much he could bring to the franchise, it's Peters.
He was around when the San Francisco 49ers drafted Kinlaw at No. 14 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. The lineman never quite lived up to the hype and was projected by analysts to get another short-term agreement somewhere. Washington thought otherwise, giving the player a lengthier commitment with huge money attached.
This represents a gamble at three years and $45 million. Kinlaw's production probably doesn't warrant such a lofty commitment, but Peters has earned plenty of trust from fans after a sensational turnaround in 2024.
If he thinks Kinlaw has something to give alongside Johnny Newton and Daron Payne on the defensive front's interior, that should be enough for fans. He's a game-wrecking force when firing on all cylinders. The consistency isn't where it should be, but working with Joe Whitt Jr. and Dan Quinn on improving his craft might be enough to raise performance levels.
More signings will be coming. But Kinlaw will be a divisive one that's for sure.