The Washington Commanders' 2025 season has been an abject disaster, and the worst part isn't even the 4-11 record. It's the lack of emerging long-term building blocks on a roster that is too old.
The Commanders' 2024 NFL Draft class was deemed an instant success because of quarterback Jayden Daniels, but it hasn't aged well in Year 2. Drake Maye's success has suddenly made it a very real question whether Washington took the right long-term quarterback. Elsewhere, the rest of the group has been disappointing.
One player in particular who was expected to emerge this year but has instead regressed is defensive lineman Johnny Newton.
Johnny Newton is running out of time to figure it out in Washington
Newton was the No. 36 overall pick in 2024, the first of three players the Commanders selected in the second round. He ended up starting 11 games as a rookie after an injury to Jonathan Allen, but Washington signed Javon Kinlaw to fill the hole in free agency instead of trusting the youngster.
It's been a lose-lose situation for both players.
Kinlaw has underachieved. Newton can't get on the field. He hasn't played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in any game this year, and in recent weeks, he's even seen time on special teams.
Even when he has been given chances, the Illinois product has struggled to make an impact. On Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, he saw his highest usage all season with 42.9 percent of the defensive snaps. But he may as well have been invisible.
The Commanders will have some tough decisions to make this offseason when it comes to their interior defensive line. They're probably stuck with Kinlaw, but it wouldn't be surprising to see general manager Adam Peters move on from Payne after eight seasons. That's where it would be ideal for a player like Newton to slide into his slot, but he hasn't shown enough to make you feel comfortable with him as a starter.
Odds are, Newton will be back as a rotational piece in 2026 with one more shot to prove he can cut it in Washington. He was considered the best player available when he was drafted, and the upside as a pass-rusher is there. Perhaps a new defensive coordinator can get something more out of him.
The Commanders had better hope so. This franchise put a lot of faith into his development.