Washington Commanders miss on top assistant coach option at key position to NFC East rival
The Commanders still need a defensive line coach, and Marcus Dixon is off the market after heading to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Washington Commanders underwent a lot of coaching changes this offseason, with a new offensive and defensive coordinator taking over in 2026.
Head coach Dan Quinn selected Daronte Jones as the new defensive coordinator to bring over the Minnesota Vikings successful defense, and now he has to build out his staff. Tough decisions were made, and Jones had to clean house with several coaches, including fan-favorite legend Ryan Kerrigan.
Jones still hasn’t filled the defensive line coaching staff out yet, but the top option is headed to an NFC East rival.
Defensive line coach Marcus Dixon is headed to the Dallas Cowboys
The Commanders’ changes led to other dominoes falling within the staff, with Jason Simmons headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kerrigan and assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd were let go, and Jones has to make a hire that improves a struggling defensive line in a crucial offseason. Marcus Dixon was the top option to come to Washington as the former defensive line coach for the Vikings, who was a free agent and able to sign anywhere.
Instead of staying with Jones, like he was on the Vikings for the last two seasons, Dixon decided to head to Dallas and rejoin Chrisitan Parker, with whom he spent time on the Denver Broncos.
Dixon specializes in stopping the run, which the Commanders have struggled with, and he’s also gotten the most out of his depth guys up front. Players took a major step forward from the first season under Dixon to the second, and Washington needs someone who can do the same.
The Commanders have to nail the defensive line coach hire
Washington allowed the third most rushing yards in 2025 at 2,411, and also the third most rushing yards per game at 141.8 yards. This has been a struggle over the last two seasons, and it didn’t improve even after adding defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
Johnny Newton has been primarily a pass-rushing defensive tackle since his college days, and he’s struggled against the run, yet that’s where the team primarily played him in 2025. Daron Payne is also very inconsistent and fell off a cliff after a strong start.
The Commanders were also in the middle of the pack in sack numbers with 42 in 2025, and it’s a number that needs to go up next year. Overall, the defensive line has underperformed, Newton hasn’t developed well, and Kinlaw and Payne are both completely taken out of games too often. Washington will add talent on the EDGE this offseason, but they also need proper coaching to get the most out of their talents.
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