Washington Commanders Hire Defensive Specialist to Coaching Staff

The Washington Commanders have made an addition to the defensive staff.

Longtime NFL coach Steve Wilks has joined the organization where he will work with the defensive staff under head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network was first to report the news after noting that Wilks' hire was decided in September before officially starting with the team ahead of the primetime meeting against the San Francisco 49ers in week six. The Athletic reported that Jones is joining as a part-time assistant to assist with defensive game-planning, though he is not expected to be with the team on game days.

It marks a peculiar coaching alignment on defense, but it also marks a veteran set of eyes working to upgrade a defense that has shown flashes, but have struggled to put together a complete showing through the firs six games.

Wilks joins the organization after previously serving as the special assistant to athletics at Appalachian State. He also served as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 2025 and San Francisco in 2023. Wilks has spent nearly two decades across the NFL, including a stint as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2026. He has also previously served as the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and stepped in as the interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers after Matt Rhule was fired during the 2022 season. Wilks initially joined the organization as a defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach.

He also spent time in college, most recently as a volunteer advisor in 2024 in addition to the defensive coordinator at Missouri under head coach Eli Drinkwitz during the 2021 season.

How much Wilks will be able to upgrade the Commanders' secondary will be the question mark as the defense enters the bye week ranked 29th in the league and one of five to allow over 1,600 passing yards this season. Washington's 15 passing touchdowns allowed also ranked tied for second worst in the NFL behind only the Arizona Cardinals, who have also allowed over 120 yards fewer than Washington.

The Commanders are in the midst of the bye week before returning to Northwest Stadium to host the Philadelphia Eagles then Los Angeles Rams. They will look to find answers to the growing list of questions to a disappointing start, despite remaining in the thick of a lackluster NFC East race in 2026.