Head coach Dan Quinn has made it clear in Washington Commanders camp that they won’t be predictable this year. Versatility and disguise are trademarks Quinn is building around, and the work on the field has backed it up.
Across several practices this week, the Commanders rotated personnel and alignment schemes at nearly every level.
Edge rushers Frankie Luvu and Jacob Martin shared snaps side by side. Von Miller, the veteran centerpiece, slammed off the opposite edge in early pass‑rush periods.
Meanwhile, Dorance Armstrong moved inside, and former high‑round tackle Javon Kinlaw dropped into end‑alignments as part of three‑man fronts.
The Commanders don’t plan to line up five straight pass‑rushers. Instead, their aim is to make it hard for opposing offenses to know who’s coming and how they’re rushing.
“I just like having a deep crew of guys that can be versatile and do things,” Quinn said, per ESPN’s John Keim. And if last week’s field work was any indication, he’s building exactly that.
Heat Waves and Turnovers Taking Center Stage
The front seven isn’t the only group creating buzz. Washington’s secondary suddenly feels active, fast, and opportunistic.
Cornerback Mike Sainristil got the ball rolling last Friday for the Commanders. On the very first team-targeted play, safety Quan Martin tipped a Jayden Daniels throw in the middle of the field. Sainristil was right there, jumped the pass, and made the interception look easy.
That play came while he was shadowing Deebo Samuel — no small feat considering Samuel’s experience and explosiveness.
Two snaps later in 7-on-7, veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner dropped in underneath coverage, stepped in front of Daniels, and turned over another ball.
Versatility Is the Foundation for Commanders
What ties all of it together is movement. Luvu worked as both a traditional off-ball rusher and a stunt player for the Commanders defense. Martin slid around set, showing his versatility on pass scenarios. All of it is designed to keep offenses guessing.
When one defensive lineman fell out with fatigue or got benched for reps, another took his spot. That rotation gives fresh legs AND forces opposing lines to adjust call after call. It buys the Commanders disguise at the snap, flexibility in-game, and strategic advantage in later quarters when the clock matters most.
If Quinn continues this path, look for more hybrid shell work once pads come on. Expect zone blitzes and other designed pass rushes on defense.
The Commanders defense is already showing identity in camp, and it starts with flexibility. Quinn isn’t banking on one standout pass rusher. It’s about interchangeable parts and constant variation.
With multiple players capable of rushing, dropping, or aligning in space, Washington is delivering on its promise: it will “provide a variety of looks” this season.
Couple that with a turnover-hungry secondary and fast-switching linebacker core, and you’ve got the makings of a unit ready to define games and not react to them.
Expect more of this rolling pressure and disguise as camp continues. And when the preseason hits, look for turnovers and coverage designed to challenge opposing quarterbacks.
