The Washington Commanders were one of last season's biggest disappointments, and a major reason for that was a defense that allowed more yards than any other team in the NFL. Now, new coordinator Daronte Jones is at the helm, and he has a plan to turn it around.
Much of the expected improvement for Washington's defense this year should come from new personnel. Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Nick Cross, Leo Chenal, Tim Settle Jr., Amik Robertson, and Rasul Douglas were all signed as starters or key rotational pieces, and Adam Peters drafted Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick.
The new 3-4 base scheme Jones will implement should also help matters. And according to one of the team's standout veterans, it's testing everyone's willingness to learn.
Frankie Luvu admits Commanders' defense is complicated, and fans should love hearing that
Frankie Luvu is hoping to return to form this season as he'll be back in his traditional off-ball role. But he, like all his teammates, will be challenged to learn some new tricks.
"It keeps your mind right. There's never one call and we're set in one call. If they come in this call, we got this call. If they come in this formation, we got this for it. And mentally, all 11 of us have got to be on one page."Frankie Luvu
The Commanders new defense is “a lot”. LB Frankie Luvu explains what the players mean when they say it’s “a lot” pic.twitter.com/ZZvpm2KeMO
— Marshall Kramsky (@marshallkramsky) August 19, 2026
In today's NFL, coaching schemes are all about deception. Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has engineered a new era of defensive play-calling, where it's about so much more than just playing hard and fast. And Washington fans are all hoping that Jones can emulate some of the success of last year's Super Bowl-winning squad.
Jones is a protege of Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and will use a similar 3-4 base. He and head coach Dan Quinn have been adamant about wanting to see their defense hitting hard and making plays, an area in which Washington got off to a solid start in its preseason opener by picking off three passes.
Still, there's more work to be done. The infusion of youth and speed should help, but the players need to be synced up and prepared to adjust on the fly to whatever opposing offenses may throw at them.
Everything about the comments of Luvu and other players gives the indication that Jones will have his unit ready for battle. If all goes well, the Commanders will not only be flying around the field, but they'll be able to out-wit the competition.
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