Is Our Defense Better Than 2025? just bored, we've discussed this before

[mgteich]

Is the 2026 Defense better than the 2025 Defense? We can never predict health or injuries, but what about talent and expectations?

Personally, I don't think that we will be better, but the same is OK given how much we expect the Offense to improve. For me, the only pluses are that the players know the system better and the Byard upgrade.

I'm not terribly pessimistic, I just don't think that we have done much to improve the Defense.

DL (seems unlikely to be better)
We hope to replace Tonga with more reps for Farmer and Gregory.

EDGE/OLB (???)
Jones and Jacas replace Chaisson and Jennings.

ILB (seems unlikely to be better)
3 somones will replace Gibbens, Tavai, and Mapu.

CB
The best unit on the team (other than QB). Maybe the new backups will be better, maybe not). But Woods was OK and Dial is back.

S
Byard is a huge improvement over Hawkins.

 

[Clonamery]

At least you finally admit you're boring.

 

[mayoclinic]

No caps. What's up?

S should be slightly better with Woodson year 2 + Byard.

Pass rush should be better with Hones + Jacas.

About the same overall, which is fine for 2026. 2027 needs some new juice, majority of resources have been spent on offense.

 

[Water Boy]

Last year our defense was getting beat on the edges in the run game. Hopefully Jacas and Jones can help that and have enough juice in the pass rush. Assuming Milt and company continue to provide a good Interior pass rush, or DE should have the opportunity to clean up with good contain.

Not sure if we have enough beef up the middle between DT and ILB in the run game.

If healthy we easily have a top 5 secondary.

We need to improve on tight end coverage.

Byard should help us be a ball hawking defense.

I think we're poised to be better. Our competition will be stiffer so the numbers might not necessarily reflect it.

 

[patfanken]

Also, a potentially healthy Landry will improve the overall pass rush numbers, plus maybe Ponder shows a 2nd year leap and Swinson finally arrives to give the group some depth as well.

None of these guys have the speed rush that Chassion gave us, but most all of them will set the edge much better, and provide more than one move in their arsenal

 

[rkarp1]

Is the 2026 Defense better than the 2025 Defense? We can never predict health or injuries, but what about talent and expectations?

Personally, I don't think that we will be better, but the same is OK given how much we expect the Offense to improve. For me, the only pluses are that the players know the system better and the Byard upgrade.

I'm not terribly pessimistic, I just don't think that we have done much to improve the Defense.

DL (seems unlikely to be better)
We hope to replace Tonga with more reps for Farmer and Gregory.

I also believe Durden is in this mix, with him playing very well when Tonga was out. I like the DL group a lot, and firmly believe less snaps equates to better production on the DL. Talented, deep, still with upside

EDGE/OLB (???)
Jones and Jacas replace Chaisson and Jennings.

I have concerns here. Chaisson played extremely well last season, as did Jennings. two totally different players, but both very effective last season. Jones imo is a mix of both, but will not pressure as well as Chaisson, nor will he defend the run as well as Jennings. Jacas is interesting, but still a rookie. Ponder still have upside, or did we see his ceiling last season? is Landry healthy?

ILB (seems unlikely to be better)
3 somones will replace Gibbens, Tavai, and Mapu.

Thin. add another vet

CB
The best unit on the team (other than QB). Maybe the new backups will be better, maybe not). But Woods was OK and Dial is back.

I too like this group. from what I read and listen to from Lazar, CB Williams from Tenn c/b interesting

S
Byard is a huge improvement over Hawkins.

Is Pettus up to the task as the #3? Is Prunty ultimately a S?

 

[mgteich]

I also believe Durden is in this mix, with him playing very well when Tonga was out. I like the DL group a lot, and firmly believe less snaps equates to better production on the DL. Talented, deep, still with upside

I think of Williams, Barmore and Durden getting the vast majority of the reps.

I thought that Tonga was a backup when he returned from injury. So, the issue for me was to replace Tonga as a backup. Farmer and Gregory should get the additional backup reps. Farmer is Farmer, coming back from injury.

So, I don't see improvement to the degree that Tonga is gone and that Farmer and Gregory take his reps. Apparently, Vrabel decided that Tonga wasn't worth what he wanted if he was likely to be a backup.

 

[Water Boy]

FWIW I heard that Chaisson and Jones had almost identical production numbers last year. Despite his size, Jones is not a prototypical edge setter, which is odd.

 

[Water Boy]

I think of Williams, Barmore and Durden getting the vast majority of the reps.

I thought that Tonga was a backup when he returned from injury. So, the issue for me was to replace Tonga as a backup. Farmer and Gregory should get the additional backup reps. Farmer is Farmer, coming back from injury.

So, I don't see improvement to the degree that Tonga is gone and that Farmer and Gregory take his reps. Apparently, Vrabel decided that Tonga wasn't worth what he wanted if he was likely to be a backup.

The thing I think we'll miss about Tonga is his presence in short yardage situations.

I do remember him having a really bad game last year where he seemed to have some bad gap control where runners cut back into the void he left voluntarily.