Commanders' analyst tells you why should be excited about 2026 defense
· Yahoo Sports
Logan Paulsen is excited about the Washington Commanders' defense.
The former Washington Redskins tight end, now current analyst for the Commanders, told Grant Paulsen on their last episode of the "Take Command" podcast.
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"The more I think about this, the more I read about it, the more research, the more film I watch, it's really going to be the execution of the scheme, and how you affect the quarterback," Logan Paulsen said.
The 2025 Commanders' defense didn't get anyone excited, with the exception of Washington's next opponent each week, who knew they were going to feast against it. How much more effective this 2026 defense will be, we don't know, of course. But new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones certainly has Paulsen feeling much better.
"Minnesota led the league in fumble recoveries. When you go back and watch the fumble recoveries, it's not like guys were punching out the football. No, the quarterback was getting hit when the football was in an exposed position."
The Colts blitzed Nick Cross 178 times in '25.
— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) June 6, 2026
That was good enough for a 16% Blitz Rate.
Cross's Pressure Rate when blizing was an elite 28%.
For the Commanders and DC Daronte Jones, this is your Harrison Smith, but with a higher blitz volume in Indy.
Here's an example… pic.twitter.com/IsOKM0cOJ7
Paulsen is on to something. Sure, QB sacks are a good statistic, but QB hurries and QB hits are awfully valuable indicators of how much pressure you are putting on a quarterback, whether you actually sack him or not. The Commanders were next to last in QB hurries in 2025. The Vikings (Jones former defense) were not spectacular, but they were in the middle, right at No. 16.
Paulsen is also correct; the Vikings' defense in 2025 led the league in forced fumbles that were lost (13). The Commanders only forced two lost fumbles all last season, finishing dead last in the league. The Commanders have made several personnel changes on their defense. Perhaps, coupled with Jones as the new DC, the scheme and personnel together will bring a big enough change for this defense that they will actually help the offense as well.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Logan Paulsen excited about 2026 defense