The Washington Commanders' defense has shown signs of life since head coach Dan Quinn took charge of the unit. But the next few weeks will either silence or ignite the critics around second-year cornerback Mike Sainristil.
Sainristil has become one of the most polarizing contributors on the Commanders this season. The exceptionally high standards he set as a rookie haven't been met this time around. However, there are signs that the former Michigan standout is starting to look like his old self.
You likely never even noticed Sainristil was playing for the Commanders during their heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, and for the best possible reason. He's been picked on in coverage all year and often seen trailing wide-open receivers, but that was not the case in Week 13.
Commanders are seeing signs of life from Mike Sainristil after role change
He held his own, and Quinn was quick to acknowledge it.
Dan Quinn said in the Denver game Mike Sainristil and Josh Conerly "elevated up....that's what I wanted to see." Quinn said he felt that was "our best group game but still with a loss. [So] it's hard to say it was the best game."
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 3, 2025
Overall, Sainristil's play has taken a significant step forward since he was moved from the slot to the outside, just as it did last season. He was forced to the boundary after season-ending injuries to Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos, but it's obvious now that he should stay there moving forward.
Still, he has some work to do to affirm himself as the long-term cornerstone he looked to be after last season. Despite racking up three interceptions, Sainristil had been trending in the wrong direction this year. The way he performs in Washington's final five games of the campaign will be crucial to determining his stock entering Year 3.
In the best of worlds, Washington can enter 2026 knowing it has a formidable one-two punch of young corners in Sainristil and Amos, who flashed significant upside before his injury. If each of them measures up to their potential, having them both on rookie deals for the next two years will be massive.
However, if Sainristil's struggles resurface, it will raise questions about whether the Commanders need to spend yet another high draft pick on the defensive backfield. Safety will already be a top need given Quan Martin's regression this year, so you'd like to be able to leave the cornerback position alone this time around.
It will be crucial that Sainristil finishes his sophomore season on the right foot. He's making positive strides in the past few weeks, and he needs to keep building on them down the stretch to cement his importance to the squad.