The Washington Commanders' 2026 season is officially on the clock with the start of training camp this week. For those who were around for last year's dismal 5-12 campaign, it's an opportunity to start fresh.
And for defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, there is a renewed ambition to right a serious wrong.
Last season, Kinlaw was general manager Adam Peters' top free agent signing on a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million in guaranteed money. He repaid Washington's investment by recording a paltry three quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, and as many sacks as you and I across 17 games played and started.
Not great.
Javon Kinlaw sounds confident about a Year 2 improvement with the Commanders
That said, this season is another chance. The Commanders had no choice but to run it back with Kinlaw, thanks to his high price tag, and he's ready to flip the script.
Javon Kinlaw “I can back ready to go” pic.twitter.com/tuh3uK9G3r
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) July 29, 2026
Despite the underwhelming production, one thing you can't take away from Kinlaw is his confidence. He was one of Washington's loudest yappers last fall, for better or for worse, and his big talk has continued into this season.
Kinlaw is entering his second season in Washington, so the familiarity is now there. Sometimes that's all a player needs.
Edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. was a relative disappointment in 2024, albeit clouded by the rest of the team's success. But he turned it around, on pace for what would have been a career year until he tore his ACL in Week 7.
Kinlaw will be playing in a new defensive scheme under Daronte Jones. This could benefit him and the rest of the defensive line, though, as they'll have more outside linebacker help and will be surrounded by more speed at the second level.
Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson were brought in to rush the quarterback. As for Kinlaw and his interior running mate, Daron Payne, it's all about stuffing the run. That's an area where Washington has struggled the past two seasons and desperately needs to see improvement, particularly from the South Carolina product.
If Jones can get his defense playing with energy and passion, Kinlaw should benefit and emerge as one of the emotional leaders of the group. When all is well, and you're backing it up on the field, you can talk as loud as you want.
For Kinlaw, it's time to start backing it up after failing to meet lofty expectations during his first year in Washington.
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