The Commanders’ defensive re-tooling efforts will include a deal with Frankie Luvu. The hybrid linebacker has agreed to a three-year deal with Washington worth up to $36M, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Luvu has been one of the NFL’s most versatile defenders over the past two years, offering a Demario Davis-like blend of tackles and pass-rushing talent. Despite not working as a regular off-ball linebacker in college, he has displayed this two-pronged skillset as a pro. After playing out a two-year, $9M agreement in Carolina, Washington will reward him.
It will be interesting to see where Washington uses Luvu most. The team agreed to terms with Dorance Armstrong earlier Monday. Needing help at linebacker as well, Dan Quinn‘s team has some options here. Luvu could keep functioning as a hybrid player, and he certainly has the numbers to back that up.
Luvu combined for 236 tackles (29 for loss) over the past two seasons, pairing that productivity with 12.5 sacks. Only nine players have amassed more TFLs over the past two years. All nine are D-linemen or 3-4 OLBs, separating the ascending performer from the pack ahead of his age-28 season. The Commanders have nabbed one of this year’s most intriguing free agents, and it will be interesting to see what this contract’s base value is. Regardless, Luvu has secured a big raise thanks to his work on two sub-.500 Panthers teams.
The Commanders gave Cody Barton a one-year deal, adding the ex-Seahawk after letting Cole Holcomb join the Steelers. Jamin Davis has not panned out to the level the team hoped, and with a new coaching staff coming in, changes are to be expected. Luvu will join Armstrong as a key performer on Joe Whitt‘s first Washington defense.
More must-reads: