Commanders Linebacker Could Break Out in Sophomore Season

The Washington Commanders took pride in their defense this past season, and that unit could get even better in 2025.

In a recent interview with reporters, Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. talked about sophomore linebacker Jordan Magee, and he says that he thinks he could be a big part of the team's defense going forward.

"We really had a package in last year for Jordan, and then he got hurt and so it sort of took that package away versus 12 personnel," Whitt said. "I'm really hopefully that he can stay healthy... Being a linebacker, I believe linebackers control the huddle and control the defense. And he's learning from Bobby [Wagner] and us how to do that."

Magee missed all but eight games of the season due to some knee issues, but the team will be hoping he can bounce right back and show why they picked him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 24-year-old linebacker finished his final season at Temple University with an impressive 80 total tackles. Fourteen of those were for a loss, and he was also able to get to the quarterback a few times with 3.5 sacks.

Magee is learning from one of the best linebackers of this generation in Bobby Wagner, so there are not many players better who he could be getting mentored by.

Washington was eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship, so Magee and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the playoffs to redeem themselves.