The Washington Commanders are gradually ramping up linebacker Sonny Styles to ensure he is prepared for every challenge when the 2026 campaign begins. To say he's made a smooth transition to the professional ranks would be a grave understatement.
And head coach Dan Quinn is struggling to contain his excitement around what Styles could bring to the Commanders.
Washington made Styles earn it over early offseason workouts. He worked with the second-string defense, giving him the freedom to pick things up at his own pace while watching veterans like Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenal go about their business. This wasn't going to last long, and the surge forward has already begun.
Dan Quinn can barely contain his joy around Commanders rookie Sonny Styles
Styles was reportedly working almost exclusively on the first team defensive unit on the opening day of mandatory minicamp. Luvu and Chenal were rotating alongside him, but some in attendance believe he is firmly entrenched much quicker than anticipated.
Quinn is suitably impressed. The coach was once again gushing in his praise of Styles. There are still some exciting elements of his game to come when things get more physical. But for now, the Commanders couldn't be more thrilled with how he's fit into their culture.
"He has hit all the marks that you can hit at this time of year. The knowledge; the intensity to go for it. What we haven't seen, and we will, is the blitz ability and making plays on the ball with the speed and length. But man, are we pumped with him."
The rave reviews have been in plentiful supply for Styles. From the pre-draft assessments to his interviews and the impression he made over rookie minicamp and OTAs, everything is proceeding as planned. And make no mistake; this is precisely what the Commanders wanted to see from their big investment.
Washington could have gone in different directions at No. 7 overall. General manager Adam Peters clearly liked Styles, but not many thought he would be around when the Commanders went on the clock. Fortune favored them, giving them the scope to completely transform their defense right in the middle of it.
Obviously, the tests will be tougher for Styles at training camp, joint practices, and the preseason. That will give Quinn a broader indication of what the athletic second-level force is capable of, but it would be a big surprise if he didn't do enough to get a significant workload — and potentially even the green dot on defense — from Week 1 onwards.
Styles has already made a believer out of Quinn. And the coach isn't alone.
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