The Washington Commanders pinned their defensive hopes on Sonny Styles, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After a disappointing 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs, the team desperately needed a playmaker on defense. Styles, a standout at Ohio State, was supposed to be that guy. But his first taste of NFL action over the weekend left many fans scratching their heads.
Starting at middle linebacker, Styles failed to make a significant impact in the preseason opener. A video of every snap from his debut has gone viral, sparking a wave of concern across social media. While it's only one game—and it's preseason—the lack of production is hard to ignore.
Fans were quick to weigh in on the tape. One observer noted, "Would like to see this tape broken down by an actual expert because as a casual fan, it's easy to say he didn't make a play but it doesn't really seem like he was out of position." Another added, "Him keeping up with the TEs (Dulcich maybe?) was impressive but he guessed wrong on almost every gap in the run." A third chimed in, "Athletic but slow to react might take a minute to adjust to NFL speed."
Styles himself acknowledged the rough outing. "Me and [LB] Leo [Chenal] were a little frustrated," he said with a smile after the game. "One drive, one touchdown, like 15 plays, so, not ideal, but go again next week." That upbeat attitude is a good sign, but the Commanders need results, not just optimism.
The pressure is mounting for Styles to prove he was worth the high draft pick. The Commanders' defense struggled last season, and they're counting on him to be a difference-maker. His preseason debut, however, didn't exactly inspire confidence.
It's worth remembering that many great players have had shaky preseason debuts. The key is how Styles responds in the coming weeks. He'll get another chance to show what he can do in Detroit next week, and fans will be watching closely.
This situation echoes the preseason debut of Ty Simpson, who silenced doubters with a strong showing. Styles will need a similar bounce-back performance to quiet the critics.
Preseason games are often about evaluation rather than results, but for a top-10 pick, expectations are sky-high. The Commanders are hoping Styles can shake off this rust and start living up to his billing. As the team prepares for the regular season, all eyes will be on the rookie linebacker to see if he can turn potential into production.
For now, it's a waiting game. Styles has the athleticism and pedigree, but the NFL is a different beast. Whether he can adapt quickly remains to be seen. The Commanders' defense—and their fans—are hoping this early stumble is just a minor setback on the road to stardom.
