Commanders urged to trade $45M starter — and they should

The Washington Commanders paid Javon Kinlaw to help repair their defensive line. One year later, they may have a chance to get out of the deal before it becomes even more expensive.

Commanders may already have Javon Kinlaw’s replacements

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named Kinlaw as the Commanders player who belongs on the trade block before Week 1.

It is a harsh suggestion. It is not a ridiculous one.

Washington signed Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million contract in March 2025, with $30 million guaranteed. The former first-round pick was coming off a solid season with the New York Jets, where he recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks.

The Commanders paid for that version of Kinlaw. They did not get him.

He started all 17 games last season but didn't have a single sack. Pro Football Focus graded him 112th among defensive linemen. Meanwhile, Washington finished at the bottom of the NFL in total defense.

Kinlaw did not wreck the unit by himself. There was plenty of blame available, and the Commanders made sure to use all of it. Still, a $45 million starter is supposed to cover up a few problems. He should not blend into them.

Washington’s offseason moves suggest the front office saw enough. Charles Omenihu, Tim Settle and DJ Davidson were brought in to reshape the defensive front. Their arrivals also give the Commanders enough bodies to discuss a Kinlaw trade without leaving an obvious hole behind.

Javon Kinlaw’s contract makes a trade worth exploring

This is where Washington’s decision gets interesting.

Kinlaw counted for only $5.3 million against the salary cap last season. That number jumps to approximately $16.2 million in 2026. According to Knox, the Commanders would create $12.9 million in cap space by trading him.

They are not getting a premium draft pick in return. Any interested team would see the same film and contract Washington sees. The Commanders would probably have to settle for a late-round selection, if they receive a pick at all.

That does not make a deal pointless.

Nearly $13 million in cap room could help Washington respond to an injury, add a starter before the trade deadline or roll money into next year. All three choices sound more appealing than paying Kinlaw another $16.2 million and hoping his production suddenly catches up.

There could still be a market for him. Kinlaw is 28 years old, has 62 career starts and was selected 14th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Someone will look at his size and pedigree and decide Washington simply used him incorrectly. There is always one team willing to believe it found the missing instruction manual.

The Commanders cannot worry about appearances

Trading Kinlaw now would make his signing look terrible. Keeping him for that reason would make it worse.

Washington already acknowledged its defensive line was not good enough by adding several new players. If Kinlaw is no longer clearly ahead of those additions, the Commanders should take the savings and move along.

Maybe he rebounds and gives Washington the player it thought it purchased. Perhaps another team makes an offer first.

Either way, Kinlaw should not be protected by the size of his contract. That contract is the best argument for putting him on the trade block.