Javon Kinlaw's contract remains a subject of fierce debate among the media. Almost nobody gave it a promising prognosis, but general manager Adam Peters believes this can better counteract the Philadelphia Eagles' dominant trench warfare traits moving forward.
The Washington Commanders didn't believe Jonathan Allen had much left, releasing the veteran Pro Bowl lineman when a willing trade suitor wasn't willing to come forward. Peters replaced him with Kinlaw, who's physically imposing but has lacked consistency throughout his career to date.
Kinlaw is confident his best football is ahead. Peters bet big on that being the case, giving the former first-round pick out of South Carolina a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. This was tabbed as a massive overpay by almost everyone, so repaying this faith is crucial.
Commanders receive more ridicule for perceived Javon Kinlaw overpay
Add Gary Davenport from The Bleacher Report to those who think this transaction isn't going to reap the necessary rewards. The analyst placed the signing No. 2 on his list of worst free agency moves league-wide, ridiculing the Commanders for giving so much to a player who's flattered to deceive throughout his NFL journey.
"The Washington Commanders, unwilling to pay defensive tackle Jonathan Allen over $20 million in 2025, released the two-time Pro Bowler. Then the team turned around and handed $15 million a season to fellow tackle Javon Kinlaw, because nothing matters anymore. Kinlaw did set a career-high in sacks with 4.5 last year in New York, but the 27-year-old has just 9.5 sacks in his career and has never had more than 40 tackles in a season. It’s like Peters is hell-bent on showing that San Francisco wasn’t wrong when they drafted Kinlaw. The real kick in the teeth? The contract that Allen (a much more accomplished player) signed with the Vikings was for just $2 million more a season with similar guarantees. Yikes."Gary Davenport
This is a tiresome narrative. Kinlaw got a contract much bigger than expected. Nobody is denying that, but how about we let things play out before declaring that this was a terrible move from the Commanders?
Peters knows more than your average (or best) analyst around the media. He's been around winning franchises previously and has the Super Bowl rings to show for it. He also knows Kinlaw from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers, so there needs to be a level of trust attached.
If it doesn't work out, the criticism will be fierce. Fortunately for Peters, he's earned enough faith from the fanbase after completely turning around the Commanders' fortunes in the blink of an eye.
Kinlaw is eager to silence his doubters. The interior force thinks he's improving, and the tape shows that. He's confident there's more to come alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton. That would help the Commanders keep pace with or potentially surpass the Eagles next time around.
The money is irrelevant if this move bears fruit. If the Commanders get some bang for their buck, the better their chances will be. Kinlaw should be striving with everything he has to make this happen.
And there are far, far worse places he could have ended up, that's for sure.