"To the surprise of almost everybody, the Commanders gave interior defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. The move was mocked by fans and the media, who didn't believe the veteran was worth anything close to this financial outlay. Based on his efforts in Year 1 with the club, they were right. Kinlaw was always a big talker before games, but he was found wanting more often than not. He failed to register a sack and became a complete liability against the run. That is a bad combination, and significant improvements are needed if he wants to carve out a long-term future for himself in Washington."
"There is no point in Washington releasing Kinlaw this offseason. It makes no financial sense, and they need every cent to strengthen a roster that is desperately in need of energy and quality. But if the same trend continues in 2026, it will be his last in a Commanders uniform. Kinlaw was resolute right until the end, claiming this is just the start and things are going to get better. But as he proved throughout the campaign, talk is cheap without the right substance attached in the regular-season pressure cooker."
Adam Peters believed the Commanders were well positioned to win the Super Bowl in 2025 after reaching the NFC Championship the previous season. The team regressed to a 5-12 record, a campaign marred by injuries and widespread underperformance. The Commanders signed Javon Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, a move that failed as Kinlaw recorded no sacks and struggled against the run. Releasing Kinlaw would be financially impractical, but continued poor play in 2026 could end his time in Washington. Management now faces a necessary defensive overhaul and roster consolidation under new coaching direction.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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