2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable season for the Washington Commanders. A year later, the Commanders went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game, and a year later, the Commanders went 5-12 in 2025. The dismal season resulted in Washington firing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and others.
It’s also been a rough year for nearly every Washington player. Injuries derailed the Wizards’ season, with quarterback Jayden Daniels missing 10 games due to multiple injuries and Terry McLaurin missing half the season due to injuries. Additionally, players that thrived in 2024 experienced significant regression in 2025.
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One of those players is sophomore cornerback Mike Sainristil. Sean Ristier is a second-round pick out of Michigan State in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had an outstanding rookie season, starting every game and completing 93 tackles, 14 passes defensed, and 2 interceptions. He had one more in the playoffs. Sean Ristier performed well despite moving back and forth between outside cornerback and the slot.
In 2025, with 2024 trade acquisition Marshon Latimore now healthy and 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos on the horizon, Sainristil will return to the slot.
Washington’s defense will be terrible in 2025. It’s troubled on every level. The lack of a pass rush also affected the secondary, but communication issues were too frequent. Injuries to Lattimore and Amos midway through the season forced the Commanders to move Sean Ristier back to the sideline. Things are not going as smooth as 2024.
According to Pro Football Focus, Sainristil is the worst outside cornerback in the NFL heading into the 2025 season.
Despite the poor results, the Commanders continue to deploy their 2024 slot cornerback prospects in outside-heavy roles. Sainristil served as the No. 2 outside cornerback in the base formation and slid in to cover the nickel-packing slot. This strategy allows opponents to aggressively target Señor Steele in both roles; his slot coverage is reduced because he plays primarily on the wing. Sainristil’s 51.6 PFF defensive grade ranks 68th among 71 NFL cornerbacks with at least 600 defensive snaps. He didn’t earn a 53.0 PFF grade in any of the three defensive categories.
Sainristil is the most explosive outside cornerback in the NFL.
His 10 touchdown catches led the sample by two points, making him the only cornerback to score double-digit touchdowns.
Sean Stiller has a catch rate of 62.5% on third down, ranking 46th among 63 NFL cornerbacks with at least 115 third down receptions.
Celestial is the least explosive defender in the NFL.
oops. This is not a list you want to include. Sainri Steele had his moments, including a team-leading four interceptions, but they were few and far between.
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Sainri Steele isn’t the only Washington defender to regress. Safety Quan Martin took a big step back, and linebacker Frankie Luvu wasn’t nearly as productive in 2025.
These struggles give us reason to ask, is this coaching? The Commanders moved on from Whitt and hired Daronte Jones of the Minnesota Vikings as his replacement. Jones, who has a history of coaching defensive backs, spoke highly of Sean Ristier, Martin and Luwu after being hired.
Commanders are counting on Sainristil to make a comeback in 2025. We have every reason to believe he will. Remember, this is a player that legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban called the top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
It’s unclear whether Washington will move Seonri Steele out after Lattimore is released or target a cornerback in free agency to move Seonri Steele back to his more natural position in the slot.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: CB Mike Sainristil’s dubious ‘honor’
