"Get Loud" podcast analysts Fred Smoot and Michael Jenkins were joined by guest Logan Paulsen to discuss the balance of offering players more opportunities for growth while still relying on experienced veterans.

"We've seen it with Ben Sinnott offensively," Paulsen said. "He's blocked more. He's been on the field more and people say, 'Well, is there really any value there?' Heck yes, there's value. You're getting a feel for the speed of the game, you're getting a feel for fronts, how people are going to blitz you, how they're going to attack certain runs. It elevates your football IQ."

Sinnott had a 22-yard reception and was on the field for 11 out of 53 snaps in the Commanders' Monday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. For comparison, tight end Zach Ertz was on the field for 33 snaps. According to Smoot and Paulsen, these opportunities are crucial to developing young talent on the roster.

"You can't get better sitting on the sideline," Smoot said. "It's a thin line if you're still going for it with a veteran-laden team, but you know in the back of your head, at one point the youth have to play and that's a hard decision for a coach to make."

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Jacob Martin has seen more playing time as a result of the injuries along the defensive line. Against the Chiefs, the eight-year veteran recorded his first-ever multi-sack game.

"He's deserving of that opportunity, and it's somewhat disappointing because imagine him and Dorrance [Armstrong] playing together [and] how effective this pass rush could be," Paulsen said. "So, I'm really excited for him personally, but I do think about the scenario of if they're a little bit healthier on the defensive front."

Washington held Kansas City scoreless in the first quarter of that Week 8 matchup, which was the first time since Week 10 of last season that had happened to the Chiefs. The Commanders also recorded two interceptions in the first half of the game for the first time since Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Carolina Panthers.

"Kudos to the coaching staff for finding ways to keep the veteran leadership on the field while finding a way to get [other players] too," Paulsen said.