The Washington Commanders’ decision to sign top star to a $45 million deal in the 2025 NFL free agency remains a hot topic of criticism, but the defensive tackle has a plan to silence his doubters.
His approach revolves around an unexpected commitment—regaining the explosiveness he lost during his time with the New York Jets last season.
To achieve that, Kinlaw “plans to shed some weight for the upcoming season,” according to JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports. Finlay also reported that Kinlaw admitted he was too heavy last year, which helped him handle double teams but came at the cost of his quickness.
At first glance, this revelation only adds fuel to the criticism surrounding one of the offseason’s most debated contracts. Overpaying for an underperforming player is one thing, but investing heavily in a veteran who wasn’t in peak shape raises even more concerns.
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However, Kinlaw’s commitment to slimming down suggests the Commanders have a clear vision for how they plan to utilize the former San Francisco 49ers first-round pick.
Javon Kinlaw’s Plan a Surprise
Kinlaw’s plan presents an interesting contradiction—his size could directly address a key issue for Washington’s defensive front.
One of the Commanders’ biggest weaknesses has been their inability to clog running lanes and hold up against the ground game. This flaw was brutally exposed in last season’s NFC Championship Game when the Philadelphia Eagles ran for 229 yards and seven touchdowns.
At 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds, Kinlaw would seem like the ideal solution to that problem. But if he’s planning to drop weight before the season, does that change the equation?
What makes this situation even more intriguing is that head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have traditionally preferred lighter, more agile defensive linemen—suggesting Kinlaw’s transformation might align with their vision after all.
