The Washington Commanders need to vastly improve their defensive personnel to ensure Daronte Jones gets the best possible chance to put his grand plans into action. And the new coordinator may want to look at some familiar faces to help smooth what will be a critical transition.
There is a lot going on with the Minnesota Vikings right now. They shocked the NFL world by firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah extremely late in the hiring cycle, and they will not be seeking a permanent replacement until after the 2026 NFL Draft. Not the conventional approach, but those in power believed it was necessary.
Rumors of a disconnect on how to move forward at the quarterback position were rife in the firing's immediate aftermath. The Vikings went with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold. One is struggling to meet the required standards, while the other is preparing for a Super Bowl.
Commanders could pile on the Vikings by reuniting Daronte Jones with Eric Wilson
This will also affect their decisions in free agency. It's something the Commanders could capitalize on by signing veteran linebacker Eric Wilson if the money works for all parties.
Fans will probably roll their eyes at seeing another aging second-level presence. Wilson will turn 32 during the 2026 season. There is a desperate need for Washington to get younger and more explosive across the board. Even so, for the money it would probably take to get him into the building, it deserves consideration.
Wilson logged 6.5 sacks and 115 tackles for the Vikings this season. His pre-snap communication was first-class, and he also held his own in coverage with four pass breakups and an 82.3 passer rating when targeted. More importantly, he'll know precisely what Jones will be looking for, and he could help teammates get up to speed quickly in this scenario.
According to Spotrac, Wilson is expected to get a one-year deal in free agency at $4.32 million. If Bobby Wagner departs as expected, this would be a nice stopgap. Though it shouldn't prevent the Commanders from finding another dependable, younger option elsewhere in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
Not every signing is going to be a big splash. Not every signing is going to have long-term aspirations in Washington. That's impossible with so many needs to fill, but someone like Wilson could be a major asset if Jones believes there is still some good football left.
And if general manager Adam Peters had any sense, he would seek Jones' counsel on every defensive incoming over the coming weeks and months.