The Washington Commanders add Steve Wilks to the staff, bringing another experienced defensive mind into the building.
Washington has hired the veteran coach to help with the defensive game plan, according to reports from NFL Network and The Athletic. Wilks will work with head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones on a part time weekly schedule, arriving on Sundays and leaving after Wednesday’s practice, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
The timing might look like a reaction to Monday night’s 23-17 loss in San Francisco, but Pro Football Talk reports the hire was in the works before the season started. Wilks actually began working with the team last week.
Wilks brings a long resume. He was the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator last season before being fired in December. In 2023, he ran the San Francisco 49ers defense during their run to the Super Bowl. He also went 6-6 as the Carolina Panthers’ interim head coach in 2022 and was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
The Commanders add Steve Wilks at an important moment. The move gives Quinn, a defensive coach himself, another veteran voice in the room as Washington tries to steady things after losing Terry McLaurin for the season.
