Commanders are taking a huge risk that Jets fans already know will fail

The New York Jets signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a one-year contract worth $7.2 million last offseason. This was widely seen as an overpay, as former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh took a risk on his knowledge and scheme being what unlocks Kinlaw after a few injury-plagued seasons.

While the Jets have now conceded that they were unable to turn him into a solid starter next to Quinnen Williams, another member of the San Francisco front office that drafted Kinlaw paid an even steeper price to acquire him. Did they watch any Jets games last year?

Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters gave Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million contract in the offseason, doubling his salary after a year that saw him underperform with a $7 million price tag.

Much has been made about Kinlaw being lined up for a more versatile "elephant" position in Dan Quinn's defense. However, wouldn't it make more sense to see if Kinlaw is even still a viable starting defensive tackle in the NFL before reorienting the defense around his specific skillset?

Commanders may end up regretting giving former Jets DT Javon Kinlaw a big contract

Kinlaw's 53.4 Pro Football Focus grade and 50.8 run defense grade may have even been a bit complementary for the former South Carolina star. From the instant Robert Saleh's 2024 defense stepped on the field, stopping the run was an issue. Williams performed admirably in this area, putting Kinlaw in the spotlight.

Kinlaw has all the physical tools needed to be a great defensive tackle in this league, so it's not surprising that he got another chance based on those tools and his raw physical talent. However, things start to fall apart when Kinlaw is asked to actually put together a plan of attack against some of the better guards in the league.

Washington's defense is still a below-average unit despite having made additions like Marshon Lattimore and Von Miller during the last few months. Kinlaw is not only viewed as a new starter, but this team thinks that he could be a player who takes this unit to the next level.

If the Commanders expect Kinlaw to not only play at a level he has not reached throughout his professional career, but also stabilize what was a below-average unit last year in a championship push. It is quite frankly baffling at a level that defies comprehension. If he thrives, chalk it up to classic Jets bad mojo.

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