The Washington Commanders will have a squad full of new faces on the field this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The pass-rush unit in particular has been a work in progress all offseason, with veterans Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr., Jacob Martin, and Eddie Goldman all among the additions to a defensive line that will need all the help it can get. Then, just when it seemed like the smoke had cleared, Adam Peters went out and signed Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller.
How will all the new pieces fit together? We may have gotten a glimpse on the first day of training camp.
Commanders already pulling out all the stops to make revamped defensive line work
It’s going to require some creativity to find efficient combinations with the Commanders’ defensive front, particularly on the edge. Joe Whitt Jr. duly obliged with an intriguing formation that nobody saw coming.
Luvu & Miller at edge with Armstrong & Payne on interior
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) July 23, 2025
It was expected from the moment Miller signed that his primary position would be on the edge, despite playing most of his career as an outside linebacker. It’s unclear if he will be a starter or more of a situational piece, perhaps a specialist to mostly come in on third downs, and this specific set seems to imply the latter.
What’s more intriguing here is using Luvu as an edge rusher, while moving Dorance Armstrong Jr. inside. The hard-nosed linebacker became a quick fan favorite after he was signed on a bargain last offseason, finding a long-term home in Washington following stops with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
Luvu racked up a career-high eight sacks en route to being named a second-team All-Pro last season. He certainly knows how to rush the passer when given opportunities.
Armstrong is a player who could perhaps benefit from being moved around a bit, especially if Miller is going to take some of his snaps on the outside. He was solid but unspectacular during his first season in Washington after coming over from the rival Dallas Cowboys, compiling five sacks. More will be needed this time around.
It’s also notable that this set does not include Kinlaw, Washington’s highest-priced defensive acquisition this summer. The former San Francisco 49ers star is another player who Whitt has hinted at wanting to use in different ways, so it will be interesting to see where he fits if Armstrong is going to take snaps inside.
All in all, it’s clear that Whitt is trying to make the most out of a situation that everyone knows is less than ideal. Only time will tell how it works out.
