One of the more puzzling aspects of the Washington Commanders‘ 2025 season has been the regression of cornerback Mike Sainristil. The player that legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban called the “best pound-for-pound player” in the 2024 NFL draft, looked like a cornerstone player for years to come during Washington’s surprising 12-5 season last year.

Switching between slot cornerback and outside, Sainristil succeeded wherever he played as a rookie. The Commanders were counting on Sainristil to move back inside in 2025, with a healthy Marshon Lattimore and rookie second-round pick Trey Amos on the roster. Sainristil did move back inside, but he struggled almost immediately.

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In Week 9, Lattimore tore his ACL. The following week, Amos fractured a fibula. Just like that, Washington lost both starting outside cornerbacks, forcing Sainristil back outside. While Sainristil has looked better playing outside, he’s still struggled. How badly has Sainristil struggled in 2025?

Per Pro Football Focus, Sainristil has allowed 828 receiving yards, 410 yards after the catch and 10 touchdowns. Additionally, opposing quarterbacks have targeted Sainristil 90 times, completing 66 of those attempts. The receiving yards, yards after catch and touchdowns are the most in the NFL. That’s not ideal.

While some of those numbers are ugly, Sainristil continues to do other things well. He leads Washington with four interceptions and has also forced a fumble. Sainristil has also defended 11 passes.

The Commanders must decide this offseason where Sainristil should play in 2026 and beyond. Is he better on the outside or the inside? There are some limitations, as Sainristil lacks elite length and long speed. Ideally, he turns things around and moves back into the slot, allowing Amos and a probable newcomer to start outside. Sainristil, like several others on Washington’s horrendous 2025 defense, could use some different voices.

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The Commanders will have a new defensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn. Shaking up the secondary coaches may not be a bad idea, either.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Numbers are ugly for CB Mike Sainristil