One word that perfectly encapsulates Commanders' 2026 offseason

The Washington Commanders needed to have a big offseason after a disappointing 2025 season.

Sure, much of the struggles can be pinned on injuries, but it was also clear the defense needed to get better, in particular. It became a recurring theme in 2025 that the defense needed to get "younger and faster," and it's clear that's what the team set out to do.

In free agency, defenders like Leo Chenal, Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Amik Robertson, and Nick Cross were added. All of those players should start, or at the very least, be key rotational pieces.

Then, in the first round of the 2026 draft, the Commanders grabbed Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Styles was widely considered the best linebacker in this class and one of the most talented overall prospects. Styles has blazing speed, as a former safety, and natural coverage skills that should transform the Commander defense immediately.

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently came up with one word to describe each team's offseason. For the Commanders, Pereles used the word "speed." This will definitely bring a smile to Dan Quinn's face, who definitely wanted his defense to be faster after last season. Pereles pointed to Styles as the player who personifies speed.

"It's hard to watch Styles' 40-yard dash overlay with him beating CeeDee Lamb and Kyle Hamilton andnot think speed. But it wasn't just Styles who Washington added to bring speed to a defense that desperately needed it," Pereles explained. "Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson bring speed to the edge rush unit, and Leo Chenal brings it to the linebacking room alongside Styles. Add in safety Nick Cross, and the Commanders got better, more athletic, and much faster across all three levels of the defense."

As Pereles mentioned, Styles has the speed to legitimately outrun wide receivers and defensive backs, and that's just not normal. Oweh and Chaisson have speed off the edge, while Chenal is the perfect veteran to pair with Styles. There's no question this defense will be faster in 2026.