The Commanders have quickly found a new starter along the defensive line. Javon Kinlaw is headed to the nation’s capital.
Kinlaw has a three-year, $45MM deal in place with the Commanders, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pact includes $30MM in guarantees, a major raise compared to his one-year Jets tenure. This agreement will allow for Kinlaw to reunite with general manager Adam Peters, who was in the 49ers front office which drafted him.
Washington already had an expensive DT tandem in the form of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, but after granting the latter permission to seek a trade, the team released him. That move seemed to open up a starting spot for 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton, but Peters has instead made another lucrative investment at the position.
Kinlaw faced high expectations as the 14th overall pick in 2020, but his San Francisco tenure did not go according to plan. Injuries were a problem in his second and third seasons, a span in which he played only 10 total games. The South Carolina product logged a full campaign during his walk year, but even that only landed him a one-year Jets deal.
The Jets represented a quick stopover for Kinlaw, who used a “prove it” deal to his advantage despite Gang Green finishing 5-12 and regressing on defense. The former first-rounder’s knee trouble did not limit him, as the five-year vet started all 17 Jets games and tallied a career-high 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. Going from a one-year, $7.25MM contract to $30MM guaranteed represents one of the 2024 seasons bigger wins, even though it largely came off the radar.
Payne’s new sidekick will be expected to build on this, and while his injury past provides some concerns, Peters is plenty familiar with the risks Kinlaw once brought. Ahead of an age-28 season, Kinlaw will be taking over for Allen on a deal not too far south of where the Pro Bowler stood.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Just dumb.. shoulda kept Allen .. wasted here when CB , DB are clear needs .. a rotational DT at $15mil is wild
Yeah, this is wild, especially with Newton on hand. After watching Kinlaw play for the Jets last year, I’m stunned that anyone would give him close to this level of guaranteed money.
Let’s give the GM some slack, he did well last year, and I for one will trust his instincts again!
He did great last year on a lot of low-cost signings with some upside. Kinlaw would pretty much play better than he ever has in his career to justify this contract, which is not the kind of bet you want to make.
Waste of money. He robbed Peters and the team and to get $30M guaranteed is absurd.
Peters was part of the FO that drafted him. Seems to me he’s still banking on the athleticism he saw during the draft process
Kinlaw kinda sucks bro