Commanders see ‘big deal’ in defensive continuity, but there’s a risk

ASHBURN — NFL rosters routinely change from year to year, month to month and week to week. But for Ron Rivera-led teams, that churn especially happens in the secondary. Go back and pull up a depth chart from any of his eight-plus years in Carolina or his first two in Washington, and you’ll notice the starting back end remade in time for a new campaign. A new cornerback there. A new safety here.

That’s what makes this coming season for the Washington Commanders so different.

“It’s the first time,” Rivera says of the starting secondary’s return, “And that’s a big deal.” 

Ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington returns largely the same group of starting cornerbacks and safeties it had in 2021. The notable exception is the departure of Landon Collins, but the cut veteran played more of a hybrid linebacker-safety role last season, anyway. 

Rivera said he hopes the continuity “carries over” and pays off. But here’s the risk: The Commanders are running it back with a group that ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last year. 

There’s a chance that, instead of continuity leading to a defensive resurgence, the unit struggles again — leaving Washington in dire straits. The group’s murky performance in the preseason didn’t necessarily quell those concerns. 

This time last year, the Commanders were thought of as having one of the best defenses in the NFL after a dominant 2020. But a lot has changed since then.

“It doesn’t really matter how you got here,” defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. “It is about production in our business. That is what we are stressing.”

Del Rio, Rivera and players have said they feel like the secondary is in a better position this year because the team’s pre-snap communication is improved. And during training camp, players like safety Kam Curl can be heard relaying adjustments to cornerbacks like William Jackson III. 

In theory, the Commanders’ defense should naturally improve in some areas. No spot is more obvious than third down, given Washington ranked second-to-last in that category as teams converted 48.5% of their chances. According to Football Outsiders, the last 12 teams to have played as poorly as Washington on third and fourth down were “much better the following season.” 

Still, the problem remained in the preseason. In the two exhibition games that the starters played in, the Commanders allowed teams to go 20 of 33 on third down. Washington’s backups contributed to those numbers, but the first string wasn’t good. “It’s the most important down in football,” safety Bobby McCain said. 

The secondary, though, isn’t the only part of the unit that has to improve for the Commanders to be successful in 2022. When highlighting Washington’s problems on third down shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs loss, Rivera noted the defensive line’s lack of pass rush discipline as linemen failed to properly set edges and contain quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

The defensive line will be without edge rusher Chase Young (knee) for at least the first four weeks, so Washington will need someone like Montez Sweat to produce. Rivera said there will also be expectations for Young to bounce back when the 23-year-old is finally cleared. Before Young’s injury in November, the former defensive rookie of the year had just 1½ sacks in nine games.

“We know he’ll have to work himself into shape,” Rivera said. “But we do know this and that is he’s got the potential to be an explosive, dynamic guy. It’s kind of interesting just watching him work out. It’ll be fun to see how he is.”

Last year, Rivera felt his team lacked maturity. He wanted to see how the group would respond to coming off a playoff appearance, and they didn’t. “That’s on me,” Rivera said. 

But the setback is why Del Rio and his staff have emphasized humility this offseason. Del Rio called it a “Day One message.” And while the coordinator noted the topic is something he always stresses to players, the message is more relevant now. 

“We are not going to be fearful of anybody that we go against, but at the same time, we want to make sure that we are really respectful and just prepare and understand the need to strain every day. That is what it comes down to.”