The Washington Commanders have the third-highest payroll for the defense across the NFL in 2026
After a lackluster defense at best in 2025, the Washington Commanders put a premium on revamping the side of the ball this offseason while also replacing Joe Whitt Jr. with Daronte Jones as the new coordinator. The numbers show it, too.
Washington ranked third in the NFC and sixth in the league in defensive spending in 2026 with $165.8 million tied up. Only the New York Giants, who spent just shy of $9 million more, and the Chicago Bears eclipsed the Commanders' in spending while the Pittsburgh Steelers' $193 million beat out the Baltimore Ravens, who committed $187.4 million under first year head coach Jesse Minter.
That's an understandable development for the Commanders after ranking among the worst defenses in the NFL last season, albeit a defense that also battled through multiple notable injuries like the offense.
Per Overthecap.com, returning defensive lineman Daron Payne enters 2026 accounting for nearly $28 million against the cap, leading the entire Commanders roster ahead of the final year on his contract, while defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw and Dorance Armstrong join linebackers K'Lavon Chaisson and Frankie Luvu as eight-figure cap hits this upcoming season. While Chaisson looks to live up to his billing as an underrated addition, Luvu is looking to entrench himself in the rotation with the added athleticism now on the roster. Meanwhile new edge rusher Odafe Oweh's near $100 million contract accounts for a $9.2 million hit in year one.
When diving into the numbers from the Jayden Daniels era even more, the decision to prioritize the defense makes even more sense. Washington is perfect through 12 games when allowing 24 points or fewer, while just 2-10 when allowing more than 24 points.
2025's numbers may provide a small sample size given Daniels only played in four full games and appeared in seven after battling multiple injuries, but it's why head coach Dan Quinn put a premium on getting right while finding ways to create more balance on offense in hopes of winning the time of possession and giving the defense more chances to rest.
Washington also made a handful of moves in the secondary with DMV native Nick Cross arriving to upgrade the strong safety room while Amik Roberton and Akhello Witherspoon add veteran experience at a cornerback room that needed attention. Whether the moves end up being enough is the next question, especially at cornerback, but the front office enters the end of OTAs with much improved depth in the front seven and multiple options to address the pass rush.
How Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones view the defensive progress ahead of the third week of OTAs and minicamp will be answered in a matter of days with two months until the preseason slate kicks off.
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