Critics are ripping Commanders over this contract but the outrage is insane

The moment that free agency opened, the Washington Commanders wasted no time snatching up Javon Kinlaw, one of their top defensive line targets.

The former San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets star was signed primarily to fill the void at defensive tackle left by veteran Jonathan Allen. General manager Adam Peters, who was part of the front office that drafted Kinlaw in 2020, is well familiar with the one-time South Carolina star.

There's only one problem: his contract, worth $15 million per year for the next three years, has already been deemed an albatross.

Javon Kinlaw has a lot of naysayers to prove wrong with the Commanders

Both in Washington and across the NFL world, critics have rushed to judge the Commanders for paying up so much for a player of Kinlaw's stature. He only has 9.5 career sacks in five seasons and has frequently been unavailable due to injuries, all while coming as a once highly touted draft selection.

Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone is among those skeptical, highlighting the Commanders' new addition in an article titled "Every NFL team's worst contract approaching the 2025 season."

"(Kinlaw) is set to play in his age-28 season, and $15 million per year from the Washington Commanders is just a bit too much money. The franchise has been able to figure things out over the last year, but this move could end up being one of the worst ones of the Adam Peters era."

Lou Scataglia

It's a fair assessment. It's also one that can only be backed up with speculation.

Until Kinlaw takes snaps during actual games for the Commanders, no one can know for sure how he'll perform. Additionally, it's worth noting that there is legitimate reason for optimism surrounding the former first-round pick.

Last season was Kinlaw's most productive in the NFL to date, registering 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his lone season with the Jets. He also started all 17 games for the first time in his career.

The Commanders have already built a strong reputation for maximizing their defensive signings in Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s system. Frankie Luvu, Dante Fowler Jr., and Jeremy Chinn all greatly exceeded expectations as part of last year's free agency class. There's no reason why Kinlaw can't provide that same value.

The standard will be high for Washington's pricy new defensive lineman this fall. But the rush to consider his signing a mistake is premature.