Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is expecting big things from Johnny Newton in 2026. He named the interior defensive lineman as the player he expects to take off above all else, a long time coming after a frustrating start to his time with the franchise.
The Commanders remain confident in Newton's ability to finally fulfill his pre-draft promise. However, that hasn't stopped some analysts from touting the former Illinois standout as a potential trade chip this offseason.
Which, in all honesty, is a laughable notion.
Commanders should not consider trading Johnny Newton despite media buzz
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus listed Newton among his players who could be traded before Week 1. While the interior presence hasn't met expectations as yet, ending this experiment early when there is so much at stake for the Commanders this season is an absolute non-starter.
Or at last it should be.
Newton's flashes alone indicate more could arrive. His three-sack performance against the Dallas Cowboys was comfortably the best of his NFL career, but there is a dire need to improve his play strength against the run. That should be the primary objective this offseason: making him a genuine three-down force within defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme.
Getting a full preparation period without missing time would also be advantageous. Newton's preparations were hindered by foot injuries, which is the primary reason why he fell to No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This clearly impacted his ability to hit the ground running, so a summer without complications will only improve his chances.
General manager Adam Peters shouldn't give up on Newton just yet. While he's disposed of a lower round pick since taking the job, and plenty of high-end ones made by the previous regime, the Commanders have too much invested here. And given how his league journey has gone to date, the compensation teams would be willing to give up wouldn't be worth Washington's time.
That does not detract from the importance of the 2026 season for Newton.
The Commanders didn't draft him early on Day 2 to be a rotational pass-rushing force. They wanted him to become a franchise cornerstone, and that remains the goal. With a better run on the injury front this offseason, he's got a shot. But this won't happen if he continues to display inconsistencies against the run.
Quinn is bullish about Newton's breakout promise. He probably isn't the only one in that regard within the building. And even though this time of year is always loaded with speculation around the media, trading the lineman is inconceivable.
Add us as a preferred source on Google