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Commanders' Defensive Woes Threaten Super Bowl Hopes
24 Jul
Summary
- Commanders' run defense struggled in 2024 NFC Championship loss
- Offseason changes, including Von Miller signing, fail to address issues
- Commanders believe 2025 season will see defensive improvements

In the 2024 season, the Washington Commanders enjoyed one of the best turnarounds in recent NFL history. However, as they look ahead to the 2025 campaign, the team still has significant work to do on the defensive side of the ball.
The Commanders' run defense was a major issue in 2024, particularly in their 55-23 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. The team's defense was "boat-raced" for 459 yards and 55 points in that defeat, a clear sign that improvements were needed.
During the offseason, the Commanders lost key defensive contributors like tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. They did add veteran pass rusher Von Miller, but there are concerns that the team did not adequately address its run defense problems.
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With another year under the direction of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Commanders believe their defense will be much improved schematically in 2025. Whether that translates to better results on the field remains to be seen, but it could be the difference between another deep playoff run or a disappointing end to the season.