The Washington Commanders open training camp is less than one month. Until then, expect to hear more about Brandon Aiyuk.
While we are in the quiet portion of the offseason, Aiyuk’s beef with the 49ers and his flirtation with the Commanders have garnered all the headlines. Washington completed its mandatory minicamp two weeks ago, and there is optimism surrounding the 2026 team after an offseason makeover.
The Commanders have two new coordinators (OC David Blough and DC Daronte Jones) and a plethora of new starters, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. One of those new starters is linebacker Sonny Styles — Washington’s first-round pick.
Everyone has raved about Styles since he arrived in May. The Commanders have had Styles wear the green dot at times throughout OTAs and the minicamp, and the expectation is that he’ll wear it at some point as a rookie in 2026.
ESPN recently tracked the progress of every first-round pick from April’s NFL draft, and here’s what Commanders insider John Keim said about Styles.
Styles’ closing speed was evident throughout the spring — as was his football acumen, according to teammates and coaches. He impressed with his preparation and knowledge and how he handled wearing the green dot on his helmet. “All he wants to talk about is football,” linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. said. “When you’re around a guy that’s genuine and authentic, then you’ve got something to work with. You combine that with size, speed, strength and brain and he loves ball? He’s got a lot going for him.”
It sounds somewhat cliché for every first-round pick. “He’s doing great,” long before he ever plays his first game. But everything we’ve heard about Styles is what we’d hear before the draft. Everyone knows about his size, ridiculous athleticism and college credentials. But the most important things we’d hear about Styles were his football IQ, leadership, and coachability.
Ken Norton Jr. played linebacker for 13 seasons in the NFL. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time Super Bowl champion. He’s been an NFL defensive coordinator for multiple teams and has coached linebackers for several seasons. Norton couldn’t contain his excitement about Washington selecting Styles.
“Oh my gosh, I thought there’s no way,” Norton excitedly told reporters after practice this month about Styles being on the board for Washington at No. 7 overall. “Every position coach wants their guy. There’s no way he’s gonna be available when we pick, but he was. And it happened, and we were all so excited.”
Styles is one of several big-time additions for the Commanders on defense this offseason. Washington has every right to believe it will be much improved on that side of the ball in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Sonny Styles standing out for all the right reasons
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