Head coach Dan Quinn found out more harsh truths during the Washington Commanders' pitiful loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. And one stood out above all else.
This defense is not good. At all.
It's been the story of Washington's season. One could make a strong case that the defense wasn't great last year, either. Quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels masked a lot of those failings, but he's not played well enough or been healthy enough to do the same this time around.
With veteran backup Marcus Mariota also leaving the game due to injury, the Commanders needed their defense to perform well above expectations. Aside from veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, nobody emerged from the game with much credit.
Commanders defense needs a complete overhaul after another disastrous display
The Eagles' offense is predictable and lacks consistency. Unfortunately, the Commanders still had no answer. Even when they did manage to get two crucial fourth-down stops, they were negated by frustrating penalties. Quinn is doing the best he can with what he has, but it's clear there is much more going on than just coaching complications with this group.
Massive changes are needed. Fresh ideas are desired, too. It doesn't seem likely that coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will be back after he was demoted from play-calling duties. Who Quinn hires to replace him could arguably shape his tenure as head coach.
This falls on general manager Adam Peters, too. He needs to gut this defense and replace underperformers with high-class free agents and draft picks. It won't be easy, but the time for half measures is over.
Things cannot continue like this for much longer. The Commanders need at least five new starters on defense and maybe more. The safeties are underachieving. The defensive tackles aren't matching their paychecks. The linebackers seem off. The cornerbacks can't tackle. There is no pressure coming on opposing quarterbacks.
If that wasn't bad enough, Washington's complete lack of discipline was exposed when tempers flared late in the game. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin were ejected, which was a microcosm of how things unfolded for the Commanders on another dismal day at the office.
Quinn is handcuffed right now. There is nothing much he can do with the current personnel. It is what it is at this point, so the objective is to get through the final two games before making the desired improvements this offseason.
Things might get worse before they get better. But the Commanders have to press the reset button on defense for a more sustainable future next spring.
Anything less is organizational malpractice.