Commanders’ midseason mystery centers on a player still trying to prove himself

From the moment he was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Washington Commanders’ linebacker Jordan Magee had intrigue around him. That hasn't changed.

The former Temple star lasted until the fifth round for two main reasons. A torn bicep limited him during the entire pre-draft process. More importantly, there were concerns about his size. At 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds, and with a relatively short wingspan, some scouts questioned how he would stand up to the rigors of the NFL.

There was never any concern about his athleticism or skill. Magee has both straight-line speed and excellent burst. He is agile. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) put him in elite company. He had been a very productive team leader in college.

The other thing that seemed to identify him as a sleeper candidate was the situation he would be entering with the Commanders.

Jordan Magee is still looking to cement his long-term status with the Commanders

Adam Peters signed two top-flight linebackers. Frankie Luvu, a rising star, was inked to a three-year deal. Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner was brought in on a one-year contract. What better mentor could a young player have?

If things went according to plan, Magee would serve a one-year apprenticeship under Wagner, and then slide in next to Luvu in 2025.

This plan failed on two fronts. Magee tore his meniscus in his very first preseason game and was out for half the season. When he did return, he was mostly confined to special teams.

The reason may have had nothing to do with Magee’s readiness. Wagner and Luvu were playing at such a high level that both were selected as second-team All Pros. The Commanders were in the midst of an improbable playoff run. There was no time to take baby steps with a rookie. Out of more than 1,000 defensive snaps in 2024, the starting tandem missed a combined 35.

Magee played just 15 defensive snaps in 2024. Almost all of them came in the exciting Week 16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. A minor injury limited him for the rest of the campaign.

This year, he has already taken on a bigger role. Through eight games, Magee has played more than 100 defensive snaps and made 15 tackles. He has registered back-to-back games with four tackles each — his best total in the NFL.

It may be coming a year later than hoped, but Magee seems to be getting his chance to prove what he can do. And it is coming at a crucial moment.

Washington's starting duo is still on the field for almost every snap, but both have underperformed this season. With Wagner, it appears that age is finally catching up to him. Pass coverage was never his strong suit. Despite his interception last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, he has continued to struggle when tasked with guarding speedy running backs and tight ends in open space. His pedestrian Pro Football Focus (PFF) coverage grade of 59.4 seems reasonably accurate.

One of the many problems the Commanders have encountered on defense this season is the fact that Wagner’s mediocre coverage grade is the best amongst all Washington linebackers. Luvu scores just 45.4, which is well below average. And Magee’s is even worse. If he had enough snaps to be ranked, he would rank as the fourth-worst coverage backer in the NFL.

The fact that he does not have enough snaps mitigates this situation. On the field, Magee has not looked overwhelmed — at least no more so than others. His small sample size can explain away part of the grade concern. But it does not eliminate it.

Magee entered the league with coverage and recognition as his strong suits. He should be playing on obvious passing downs, perhaps in place of Wagner. He should be playing on potential passing downs, perhaps in place of either a lineman or a defensive back, depending on the offense’s personnel.

Joe Whitt Jr. has begun using him in that capacity in recent weeks. Dan Quinn was recently quoted as saying that both Magee and fellow second-year defender Tyler Owens had earned more snaps. That is significant because they are the fastest, most athletic younger players on an aging defense.

Magee enters the second half of his sophomore NFL season with his immediate career prospects in the balance.

He has shown flashes of the talent that brought him to town. Hopefully, the injuries are in his past. Now Magee needs to prove he can make plays consistently, like his mentor Wagner has done for the past 14 seasons.

The Commanders’ defensive prospects, both this year and long-term, will depend to a significant degree on how Magee responds to the challenge.