Dan Quinn knows there’s a problem with his defense, and the Washington Commanders head coach wants to see changes, with one adjustment in particular key to fixing the unit’s biggest issue.
It involves how the Commanders generate pressure on quarterbacks. Or more specifically, how much they struggle to put heat on the pass-pocket.
The problem was vividly on display in Week 4 when the Commanders allowed struggling QB Michael Penix Jr. to dissect them during a 34-27 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. Washington’s defense got to Penix for only one sack, and Quinn made it clear “I thought we could have stunted more,” per JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports, who also noted the coach felt “Penix had too much time on long throws.”
Those words raise an interesting debate about the core problem on the Commanders‘ defense. Namely, a pedestrian pass rush lacking bluechip talent.
Personnel has long been identified as the main issue, but Quinn’s comments indicate there’s also a fault with the scheme.
Commanders Have a Pressure Problem
There are no marquee pass-rushers up front, even after the Commanders added Von Miller late in the offseason. Miller’s had a Hall of Fame career, but he’s also 36 and hasn’t logged more than eight sacks in a season since 2021.
He’s already put a dent or two in the sack column, but Miller isn’t creating disruption at the rate the Commanders need. The 15-year pro didn’t muster a single pressure against the Falcons, per Pro Football Reference.
Miller’s anonymity in Atlanta compounded the rest of Washington’s defensive line being devoid of elite speed and power. There’s some versatility, particularly from end Dorance Armstrong Jr., but the overall group is missing the oomph to keep passers under siege.
It means Quinn needs defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to get creative. The process can start with more stunts, twists and line games, but it will also require an aggressive approach to sending the blitz.
Whitt dialled up blitzes 31.5 percent of the time last season, but the number is down this term. When the Commanders are blitzing at a rate of 27.7 percent.
The Commanders have little choice but to push the blitz button at a much higher rate, even though manufacturing pressure isn’t the only problem facing this defense.
Commanders Have Issues Everywhere on Defense
Quinn probably wishes getting after quarterbacks was the only problem the Commanders had defensively. Unfortunately, the rot runs deep, with the coach citing poor communication, while a $45 million newcomer knows who’s to blame for a soft run defense.
For many observers, the true cause of the problem remains personnel. Among those who share this view, Nick Akridge of Pro Football Focus believes “Whitt is doing all he can with the talent he has. No pass rusher to be afraid of, constant busts in the coverage and a LB you can’t rely on to cover players out of the backfield but can’t take off the field because he’s one of the best run defenders in the NFL.
Akridge’s reference to 35-year-old middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is significant. He’s another senior figure whose growing limitations in space have been brutally exposed this season.
Yet, while the Commanders have deficiencies on the field, not everybody is convinced the players are to blame. Others have identified core weaknesses within the system.
Those systemic flaws were identified by Monumental Sports Network’s Mitchell Tischler, during the loss to the Falcons. Tischler thinks “The book is out on how to confuse this Commanders defense – three straight weeks, man motions across formation, inside release for slot guy for a wide open explosive. Gotta get that cleaned up.”