Daronte Jones has already begun to implement his strategy for the Washington Commanders' defense. Several assistants, including team legend Ryan Kerrigan, have been made surplus to requirements on the staffing side. There will also be numerous changes to the playing personnel in the weeks and months ahead.
Not many should be guaranteed a place in the plans. Washington's defense was nothing short of abysmal in 2025, leading to Joe Whitt Jr.'s firing. For Jones' grand plans to work, there needs to be a complete refresh of the options available to him.
Anything less is organizational malpractice, given how much is at stake. General manager Adam Peters has cash to spend in free agency, and the Commanders have six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft to utilize. Hopes are high that the right recruits can be acquired, but that won't be good news for everybody.
Commanders may not need Will Harris in Daronte Jones' defensive scheme
Alex Ballentine of The Bleacher Report thought veteran safety Will Harris could be on the chopping block after an underwhelming first season in Washington. The analyst cited his limited coverage capabilities as a primary reason he could be released with one year remaining on his deal, and the logic is hard to dispute.
"Will Harris is another Commanders defender whose best days might be behind him. Just about everyone in the secondary should be on high alert after the Commanders finished in the bottom five of passer rating allowed. That includes 30-year-old Will Harris who gave up a 117.1 passer rating when targeted this season."Alex Ballentine
Getting injured early in the campaign dented Harris's impact. He struggled to find his feet upon returning to the lineup, which made the Commanders' decision to let Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders even worse. Jones needs athletic, explosive safeties to operate within what's expected to be a creative and aggressive system, which could leave last year's free-agent signing on the outside looking in.
Cutting Harris would save $3.76 million on Washington's salary cap with $1 million in dead money. The financial ramifications don't matter much, so this is about how Jones views the player and whether he can handle the increased demands of his defensive schematics.
Harris will face an anxious few weeks before his eventual fate is determined. If he receives a reprieve, nothing short of significant improvements will suffice.
But, at least from the outside looking in, Harris is embarking on an immensely precarious situation. One that could legitimately go either way.