The Washington Commanders enter the 2026 season hoping to leave last year's ugly 5-12 campaign in the rear-view mirror. To do that, they'll need significant improvement and much better injury luck on both sides of the ball.
That is where depth becomes a premium, and in that regard, general manager Adam Peters has done his part. Where last year the Commanders were trotting out practice squad players once their starting lineup got decimated, this time around the next men in line will be up to the challenge.
It all starts on defense, where Washington had one of the worst units in the league in 2025. This year's group will have no excuses.
Commanders' improved defensive depth could be the hidden key to their 2026 season
The Commanders have overhauled their defensive structure, both in terms of personnel and scheme. Daronte Jones takes over at coordinator, replacing Joe Whitt Jr. Newcomers Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Nick Cross, Leo Chenal, Tim Settle Jr., Amik Robertson, and No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles all have the potential to be starting-caliber players at least situationally.
But it's more than just them.
Charles Omenihu is here. So is Ahkello Witherspoon. So is sneaky mid-round draft pick Joshua Josephs. Will Harris, Jordan Magee, and Jeremy Reaves are set to be key reserves after starting in 2025. Then, right when you thought Peters' work was done this offseason, Washington went out and added cornerback Rasul Douglas, he of 21 career interceptions.
This defense will be deep, especially at the second and third levels.
Washington might not have a star on that side of the ball, though the hope is that Styles can become one, but the unit should be cohesively sound. The infusion of youth will help them fly around the field, and the depth will allow everybody to get their rest while fresh-legged backups step in when necessary.
Iron will sharpen iron during training camp. When preseason rolls around, fans will get their first test of how well the reinforcements will hold up. In hindsight, last season exposed Washington's lack of depth. It should be a different story this August.
If the Commanders intend to return to the playoffs in 2026, the importance of having strength in numbers cannot be overstated.
Just as much as Washington's season will depend on quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil to perform at a Pro Bowl level, it will also depend on players like Omenihu, Douglas, and third-year defensive lineman Johnny Newton.
Injuries happen to everybody, but good teams find a way to persevere. We'll see if the Commanders have what it takes to weather the storm this fall.
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