Why Stephon Gilmore Makes Perfect Sense for the Commanders’ Secondary
With Dan Quinn at the helm and a full-blown culture shift underway in D.C., the Washington Commanders are clearly aiming to build a fast, aggressive, and experienced team — and Stephon Gilmore could be a crucial finishing piece to a revamped defense.
The Need Is Obvious
Washington’s pass defense was ranked dead-last in yards allowed in 2023, and despite improvements elsewhere, the cornerback room still lacks a true lockdown presence. Bringing in Gilmore, a former Defensive Player of the Year and 2-time All-Pro, would give the Commanders:
A steady, physical presence opposite young corners like Emmanuel Forbes or Benjamin St-Juste.
Veteran mentorship for a room that’s still finding its identity.
A proven performer in Dan Quinn’s system, having played under him last season in Dallas.
Gilmore Still Has It
Let’s not get it twisted — Gilmore might be 33, but he’s still performing at a high level:
13 pass breakups in 2023 (his most since 2019).
Allowed one of the lowest completion percentages of his career last season.
Played all 17 games and looked like one of the most reliable corners in Dallas’ top-5 defense.
He also continued a ridiculous 12-year streak with at least one interception — a testament to both his consistency and football IQ.
Familiarity & Fit
Gilmore has:
History with Dan Quinn
A track record of excelling in man coverage, zone schemes, and hybrid systems
The exact skillset Quinn values in his CB1: patient press technique, spatial awareness, and elite anticipation
He’d be reuniting with multiple former Cowboys already on the roster (Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler Jr.), helping Quinn instill his system with players who already get it.
The Cultural Turnaround Is Real
According to Commanders WR Jahan Dotson, the vibe around the team has completely changed:
“It’s been an entirely different energy... Coach Quinn really stressed that we’re a team.”
That shift might make it easier to convince high-profile veterans like Gilmore to buy in — especially on a team that now feels like it's trending up, not stuck in neutral.
