Sonny Styles has only played three NFL games so far, but the Washington Commanders rookie linebacker is already breaking barriers.
After a sensational Week 3 performance against the Seattle Seahawks, Styles earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He's the first Washington player to achieve the distinction since edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan in Week 1 of the 2020 season. The only other rookies in franchise history to win the award are Champ Bailey, Chris Horton, and Brian Orakpo.
That's called rarefied air.
Sonny Styles' joins elite Commanders group with NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor
And Styles is only just getting started.
The Commanders have asked a lot from Styles during his initial transition from college to the pros. Frankie Luvu has missed time with a groin issue, though he may be back this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts in London. Washington also lost free-agent signing Leo Chenal to a scary-looking fractured neck that required season-ending surgery.
It wasn't ideal, and Styles had to grow up quickly.
But the Ohio State product is built for the moment.
Styles was among the primary catalysts behind Washington's jaw-dropping upset over the Seahawks. He excelled in every area, creating turnovers and communicating effectively as the green dot on defense.
It showed just what sort of player Styles can become.
He is not the finished article just yet, which is scary. But when he is, the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft could become one of the league's best second-level enforcers.
Sonny Styles is off to a magnificent start with the Commanders
The Commanders didn't hesitate to take Styles when he somehow fell out of the top five and into their laps. They were blown away by his athleticism, but the reports about his leadership and organization with the Buckeyes firmly tipped the scales.
And they got a little bit of luck to secure their guy.
Styles is looking like a home run. It's still early days, and nobody is getting too carried away. At the same time, the encouraging start is undeniable, and the first-rounder may only be scratching the surface of his ceiling.
Winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week so soon into his career is a huge accomplishment for Styles, and it's well-deserved. But he won't care all that much in the grand scheme of things.
He is more focused on what comes next. Styles is his harshest critic, and he seemed dissatisfied with his Week 3 performance, despite lighting up Northwest Stadium. He's giving himself some grace, but he knows more is coming.
That elite-level mindset will take Styles far.
Styles is a do-it-all linebacker, an athletic unicorn, and a highly intelligent player. That is the perfect combination to spearhead Washington's defensive renaissance. And even though he's taken on more responsibilities than the Commanders initially wanted, he is thriving.
And for someone so young, the future looks incredibly bright.
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