5 intriguing replacements if Commanders don't extend Bobby Wagner in 2025

The Washington Commanders have 29 free agents with their futures hanging in the balance heading into the 2025 offseason. Among the most high-profile is veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Washington benefitted greatly from Wagner's presence during their critical transition into a new era. One could argue that aside from head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels, he was the most important offseason addition.

Wagner led a supreme culture shift within the organization. He helped instill a winning mentality into the locker room. He taught young pros how to prepare effectively and show the right resolve in the face of adversity. When the Commanders were going through a slump midway through the campaign, everyone looked to the former second-round pick for inspiration.

While he's not getting any younger, Wagner still performed well. He made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors. A new deal should be there if he wants it, but a situation could emerge where the Commanders go in a different direction with a younger, sideline-to-sideline presence at the defensive second level.

If Wagner and the Commanders go their separate ways, here are five potential replacements for the veteran this offseason.

Potential replacements if Commanders don't extend Bobby Wagner in 2025

Commanders could draft Carson Schwesinger

Should the Washington Commanders seek a long-term replacement for Bobby Wagner if an extension cannot be agreed upon, going down the draft route seems feasible. Examining Carson Schwesinger's credentials in greater detail wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

Schwesinger soared up draft boards thanks to a breakout campaign with the UCLA Bruins in 2024. The prospect was a relentless force in all phases, gaining 136 tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. He's got sideline-to-sideline range and plays with relentless aggression that will catch the eye of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.

The Oaks Christian School product is a fluid mover in coverage, can rush the passer when the situation dictates, and boasts sound tackling technique. Schwesinger is a little undersized, so bulking up slightly in the pros would be beneficial. There's also the question of whether his 2024 campaign was a flash in the pan or the start of something more.

Even if Wagner is retained, the Commanders could still draft Schwesinger. Having a year to learn from one of the greatest linebackers of the modern era would be highly advantageous for his long-term aspirations. Given the esteem in which he was held by coaches and teammates in college, he'd soak up every piece of information no matter how big or small.

Commanders could sign Dre Greenlaw

The Washington Commanders need to think quickly if contract talks with Bobby Wagner break down or if the veteran gets a better offer from elsewhere. Adam Peters could turn to a familiar face he knows well.

Dre Greenlaw and Peters spent time working together on the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran had some injury problems to overcome over the last year that stemmed from a devastating torn Achilles in the Super Bowl, but he managed to make it back briefly in 2024 before a calf issue dented his hopes of more involvement.

This is a risky acquisition given the health concerns. The Niners are reportedly going to let Greenlaw test the market considering their salary-cap constraints right now. If everything checks out medically, the Commanders could be in play for his services.

Greenlaw is a dynamic playmaker at the peak of his powers. He identifies plays developing quickly and arrives at the contact point with supreme conviction. The former fifth-round pick accumulated 247 tackles in the two seasons before 2024. He'll also be 28 years old when competitive action begins again, so there's a long-term aspect to this equation if everything goes well.

The potential pursuit of Greenlaw is almost entirely dependent on his medical assessments. If they're satisfactory, he'll be on the shortlist.

Commanders could draft Jihaad Campbell

The Commanders are picking further down the 2025 NFL Draft order than fans have become used to in recent years. That's not a bad thing by any stretch.

They're more familiar with examining the blue-chip prospects and potential franchise quarterbacks atop the board. That's not the case this time around after a remarkable playoff run to the NFC Championship game.

Washington holds the No. 29 overall pick. This is a deep draft class but weak at the top end for legitimate game-changers. Adam Peters will probably look to trade down here. If not, the general manager might have the luxury of taking the best player available depending on what he does in free agency.

If Bobby Wagner leaves for whatever reason, Washington would be wise to take an interest in Jihaad Campbell. The Alabama prospect is a bolt of lightning at the defensive second level. He's an accomplished tackler with productivity as an edge rusher, as evidenced by his 117 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and 12 tackles for loss during his final college campaign with the Crimson Tide.

The IMG Academy product is explosive with a savvy football mind despite his age. Campbell's over-aggression can sometimes be his undoing, but these problems can be rectified easily once Washington's exceptional coaching staff gets to work on honing his craft.

Commanders could trade for Germaine Pratt

Bobby Wagner's presence on and off the field would be a huge loss to the Washington Commanders. Adam Peters could take more drastic action to ensure no momentum is lost in this scenario.

The realistic options are in free agency and the draft. If Peters wants to think outside the box, going down the trade route with someone who's reportedly unhappy in his current place of employment cannot be completely ruled out.

Germaine Pratt handed in a trade request after becoming frustrated with the Cincinnati Bengals. The AFC North team is focusing its primary resources on keeping the core offensive pieces intact. The veteran linebacker believes this is going to hurt a defense already among the league's worst.

Pratt is a proven performer. He's a genuine leader of men who racked up 143 tackles this season. He's got a lot of good football left at 28 years old. What Peters must figure out is whether giving up assets is worth it instead of examining free agents or prospects from the college ranks.

Of all the options on this list, Pratt is the most unlikely. That's not an indictment of his talent, it's more a case of Washington having to sacrifice draft capital and potentially paying the player.

Commanders could sign Nick Bolton

The salary cap is going up more than most executives around the league envisaged. Dan Graziano from ESPN reported that teams were informed the figure would be between $277.5 million to $281.5 million. That is a massive hike from $255.4 million in 2024. For Adam Peters, it's even more spare cash to find the players needed for another bold Super Bowl bid.