Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has wasted no time in setting a tone for his defense. A former defensive coordinator known for developing strong fronts, Quinn sees plenty to like in the Commandersâ defensive line, particularly in the progress of defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
The second-year coach of the Commanders praised Kinlawâs conditioning and preparation, noting how the former first-round pick reshaped his body in the offseason and arrived ready to compete. âI have been so impressed by Kinlaw in this camp,â Quinn said. âYou saw glimpses in the spring, but honestly, you were seeing more drill work than anything. Now you can see how hard he worked to get his body in great shape.â
The Commanders’ coach also emphasized Kinlawâs consistency, applauding his ability to stack positive days together and approach each practice with intent. âI love that he is stacking days and being very intentional about the work that he wants to do,â Quinn explained. âYou see this evidence of power, strength, and effort. I love the pocket that he is in right now.â
Kinlaw has stood out with his power at the point of attack and his ability to collapse pockets, attributes that fit well in Quinnâs aggressive system. Entering his first season with Washington, Kinlaw is still carving out his role, but the early feedback suggests he is making the right impression.
Depth and Competition Across the Line
While Kinlaw has turned heads, Quinn made it clear that the entire defensive line is shaping up as one of the deepest position groups on the roster. The Commanders invested in their interior this offseason, bringing in veteran players to push competition and provide stability.
âWe have a deep crew and there are a lot of evaluations to go, especially in the interior,â Quinn said. âI am excited from what I have seen from Eddie Goldman. I want to see more. I am excited from Carl Davis. I want to see more from these interior players, so it has been good to add guys to the mix.â
For Quinn, the key is finding the right balance and identifying which players can carve out specific roles. In his system, depth along the line is critical, allowing fresh legs to rotate and keep pressure on opposing offenses. That philosophy aligns with Washingtonâs desire to reestablish its identity as a physical, relentless defense.
Quinn also compared Kinlawâs progress to that of safety Will Harris, another newcomer who has impressed with his professionalism and ability to adapt quickly. âMuch like Harris, it has been impressive,â Quinn said. âWhen you come onto a new team, you have to find your space and do your thing, and they have done that.â
A Group on the Rise
The Commanders’ defense will rely heavily on its front line to set the tone in 2025. With Kinlaw emerging as a standout in camp and veterans like Goldman, Davis, and Deatrich Wise battling for snaps, along with standouts Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, and Dorrance Armstrong, the unit appears deeper and more versatile than in recent years.
If Quinn can harness that depth and maximize the talent at his disposal, Washingtonâs defensive line could evolve into one of the most impactful groups in the league. For now, the head coachâs enthusiasm says plenty about the progress he is seeing.
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