Dan Quinn says Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton is poised for a breakout entering his third season

Washington head coach Dan Quinn is betting that defensive tackle Johnny Newton’s trajectory is headed up as the Commanders move into his third season on the roster. In April remarks reported by Yahoo Sports, Quinn tied Newton’s development to what Washington saw late in 2025, describing it as a “confidence boost” and saying Newton is “about to absolutely take off.” The message was less about a single play and more about what the coaching staff expects to carry forward from the finish of last season into offseason preparation.

The Commanders’ defensive tackle position matters because it sits at the center of how a front works against both the run and the passing game. A tackle who can consistently win early leverage can widen the gap between a blocker and the linebackers behind him, and it can also change what play callers ask their offensive line to protect. Quinn’s comments, as characterized in the report, reflect the coaching staff’s view that Newton is approaching that kind of consistent impact.

Quinn’s framing also suggests an emphasis on continuity and timing. The coach pointed to the closeness of the 2025 season’s end as part of why the momentum matters now, implying that the teaching cues and confidence Newton built did not have to be “restarted” months later. In the NFL, that can be important for young players, particularly interior defenders who spend large portions of each season adjusting footwork, hand placement, and recognition in coordination with the rest of the front.

As Newton heads into a key season in his Washington career, the story is likely to be watched through the Commanders’ defensive process: whether his snap-to-snap performance suggests a more repeatable feel, and whether the coaching staff’s belief shows up in more durable execution. In April, Quinn’s confidence was not presented as a guarantee, but it served as a clear report that the team expects Newton’s development curve to steepen rather than plateau.

It is also a reminder that “breakout” language can mean different things for different positions. For a defensive tackle, the breakthrough can be measured in how often the player earns clean opportunities, how reliably he makes life difficult for double teams, and how consistently he sets the tone in early downs. Quinn’s quote, as reported, indicates he believes Newton is ready to convert the work he has already done into a bigger, more visible role.

For Washington fans and for opposing offensive coordinators, the immediate next step is to see whether the confidence Quinn referenced becomes tangible in the Commanders’ early-season defensive identity. If Newton does take the next step the way Quinn expects, it would help stabilize the interior of a front that often carries the burden of dictating both run fits and pass-rush lanes. If he does not, the offseason focus still matters, but the “take off” timeline the coach described would likely shift.