Joe Whitt wanted Javon Kinlaw in 2024.
On Thursday, Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. revealed that he had actually wanted the Commanders to sign defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw during the 2024 free agency period. The result was that Kinlaw signed with the Jets on a one-year, $7 million deal. He was again available this offseason, and the Commanders grabbed up Kinlaw, inking the former 49er to a three-year $45 million deal.
“I begged for the young man last year when he went to the Jets,” expressed Whitt. “I sort of chuckled when people were saying negative things about him. He is what we needed at that position. He’s a penetrating, disruptive man.”
Whitt is also convinced that Kinlaw is going to help Daron Payne as well this season. “Okay, and now what has that done for Payne? Alright, Payne doesn’t have to, he’s not going to get all the doubles. He’s not going to get it, because they have to take care of 99 and then once they take care of 99, now they have to take care of 94 at times.”
Indeed, Payne has already had two very good games in 2025. He has accumulated 12 tackles (six solo and six assisted) with two being for a loss, and in addition, he has two quarterback hits. Kinlaw, on the surface, has been much less impressive with only five tackles (two solo, three assists), two for a loss, and two quarterback hits. But Whitt is saying he sees much more than the stat sheet reveals for Kinlaw in the Commanders’ three games to date.
Whitt continued emphasizing that Kinlaw is changing how teams block the Commanders. He responded to the questioning that has occurred because Frankie Luvu is not making as many impact plays as he was in 2024.
“Everybody talks about [LB] Frankie [Luvu] not having a great year. Yes, Frankie is having a good year. Okay. Alright. People aren’t going to allow Frankie to do what he’s done. I’m going to get, I’m going to answer your question, but there are people not going to allow Frankie to do what he did last year. So, they’re turning bigs to him.”
Whitt wanted to remind everyone that Dorance Armstrong has three sacks in three games.
“So now DA, so now the people are not going to allow DA to keep doing what he’s doing. They’re not going to allow JK to keep doing what he’s doing. So, they have to make decisions on who are they going to allow to be factors in the game. And so JK has given us the ability to open up other pieces same way that Frankie has given us the ability to open up other pieces.”
Whitt made it clear he is pleased with Kinlaw, and how he is impacting the game in a way the stat sheet won’t always reflect it for his names’ sake. “They’re not going to keep letting 99 wreck the game. So, when those times come, um, the other players will have the opportunities to make plays, if that answers your question.”
It’s only three games, but the Commanders defensive front is playing better at this stage than one year ago. It is really a shame that DE Deitrich Wise has been lost for the 2025 season. But that is the hand the Commanders have been dealt, and Joe Whitt is trying to move this group forward.