The Washington Commanders appear to be making a change with their latest addition. Last week, the Commanders hired former NFL head coach and longtime defensive assistant Steve Wilks to a role on the coaching staff. According to head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters, Wilks would spend part of the week in Ashburn working on game planning with the coaching staff and would not be involved in on-field player instruction.
For the first time since his hire became official, defensive coordinator Daronte Jones spoke about what Wilks brings to the Commanders.
“That was something that we had talked about back in training camp, but just for the value of experience that he has, we felt like we could use his resources and his expertise in some categories
and experience,” Jones said on Thursday.
Jones was asked whether Wilks’ presence would let him, as a first-time NFL defensive coordinator, focus on other areas.
“Yeah, still working through how. It definitely does free me up in certain ways and just still manufacturing, working through how exactly we wanna disperse that, the workspace. So, we’re still working through those a little bit.”
Now, there appears to be some clarification regarding what Wilks will be doing for the remainder of this season.
On Thursday afternoon, Grant Paulsen, host of “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., said Wilks is expected to be on the field coaching for the Commanders in Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Steve Wilks is expected to be on the field coaching with the Commanders' defensive staff this Sunday night, a source tells me.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) October 29, 2026
Paulsen then followed with additional context:
Wilks was hired earlier this month to help as an advisor. Original reports suggested he wouldn't be around on game days. That part appears to have changed.
There are still some details being ironed out with Appalachian State that will free him up for the added NFL responsibilities.
He's popular with coaches and players in the building and it sounds like the Commanders want him around more. At this point, I'd expect to see him on the sideline coaching this weekend against the Eagles and moving forward.
Wilks is certainly a respected NFL coach, with a specialty in the secondary, like Jones. The Commanders currently have William Gay as cornerbacks coach and Tommy Donatell as safety coach. Wilks brings more experience and plenty of respect.
It’s an interesting change, but it shouldn’t be all too surprising. When the Commanders hired him, he seemed destined for a much bigger role.
We’ll see if Peters adds any additional context on Friday morning when he does his usual spot on the “Sports Junkies.”
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders already making big change with latest addition
