Commanders’ Newfound ‘Versatility’ Stems From Saquon Barkley

The NFC Championship exposed more than just a bad assignment for the Washington Commanders.

After Saquon Barkley broke loose for a 60‑yard touchdown on the Philadelphia Eagles’ first offensive play, the Commanders witnessed the exact vulnerability that had haunted them all season.

Their run defense, which ranked 30th in rushing yards per game and 28th in yards per carry.

After the deflating 55-23 loss, Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong put it best.

“If you can’t stop the run, you can’t win games,” Armstrong said, per ESPN’s John Keim. “That’s why our big focus this year is to stop the run a lot better than we did last year.”

While Barkley’s home run play in that fateful January matchup didn’t offer much optimism, it finally sparked the realization of what Washington had to fix. Since then, head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have built a more physically imposing front seven designed to fend off power runners like Barkley.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn Heaped Praise On D-Line

Early in the offseason, Washington brought in heavier defensive linemen, including Javon Kinlaw (6’5″, 319 lbs), Eddie Goldman (6’3″, 320 lbs), and Deatrich Wise Jr. (6’5″, 280 lbs). By keeping Goldman in nose tackle packages and moving Kinlaw between tackle and end, the Commanders now deploy multiple fronts depending on the game situation and matchup.

“I love the versatility of the different guys and how we’re going to feature them this year in terms of sizes and strength and how we’ll use some of the big guys and how we’ll play them,” Quinn said. “That’s the part I’m looking forward to.”

The strategy extends to the linebackers as well. Jordan Magee, a fifth‑round pick sidelined last season by injury, returns to a system that previously leaned heavily on safeties in cover‑3 or nickel packages. This season, the Commanders plan to operate more often in traditional three‑linebacker looks, prioritizing size over speed to fill gaps and control the second level.

Commanders Still Value Their Pass Rush

That shift won’t eliminate speed on the edges. Wise Jr. will be key in holding the outside and forcing runners inside, where bodies like Daron Payne, Kinlaw, and Goldman await. Clelin Ferrell adds further depth, though injuries limited his snaps last year.

As training camp and the preseason approach, the Commanders will be evaluated not just on new names or heavier frames, but on how quickly they adapt. Can this revamped versatility on defense withstand early-down carries? Can they contain All-Pro runners like Barkley? Time will tell.

That said, it’s fair to argue that the NFL will see a much different Commanders defense in the upcoming season, and it should become a crucial part of their 2025 identity.