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Commanders proved everyone wrong at a position they could never get right
Bobby Wagner Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders have not run a base defense with three linebackers since the 2020 season.

That year, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio rolled out a classic trio — Cole Holcomb on the strong side, Kevin Pierre-Louis on the weak side, and Jon Bostic in the middle. None was an elite player, but they functioned rather well as a unit.

Bostic was nearing retirement, and a decision was made to let Pierre-Louis leave via free agency. Soon, Holcomb followed him out the door. The new Commanders' linebacking corps would theoretically be centered on 2021 first-round draft pick Jamin Davis.

Things did not work out that way.

Davis was supremely gifted but very raw. The decision to insert him as a middle linebacker from day one proved disastrous. Indeed, almost every decision made by head coach Ron Rivera and Del Rio concerning the second tier of the defense was a disaster. Their failure at the position they both played continues to boggle the mind.

Adam Peters cleaned house when he took over in 2024. He signed two very good linebackers in Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. He drafted a prospect in Jordan Magee. And he signed a big safety in Jeremy Chinn, who could function as a third linebacker in a base 4-2-5 set.

Peters’ wisdom was instantly apparent. Wagner is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer who still has a lot left in the tank. Luvu is a rising star. He may have been Washington's best free agent signing last year.

Commanders counting on linebacking corps to set the tone once again in 2025

The tandem played virtually every defensive snap for the Commanders in 2024. Both were honored as second-team All-Pros. Opposing offenses no longer gashed the Commanders' defense for chunk yardage running plays. Well, unless Saquon Barkley was in the backfield. Both linebackers were effective blitzers.

The Commanders occasionally employed journeyman free agent Mykal Walker in obvious passing downs. Coverage is not the strength of either Wagner or Luvu. Both are at their best when attacking.

There is no reason to expect a drop-off in linebacker play this year. Luvu should continue his ascent to the upper echelons of the league. Wagner will slow down at some point, but you’d be a fool to predict it will happen this year.

When he was signed, most thought it would be a one-year rental. Wagner was working on his MBA at Howard University, and a common notion was that he would reunite with Dan Quinn for a final season, helping to mentor a group of younger linebackers.

But Wagner played very well and was re-signed, MBA in hand. Luvu is under contract for a couple more years.

One thing that might change concerns those behind the starting duo. Magee has the athletic hallmarks of a classic mobile middle-of-the-field linebacker. His rookie season was hindered by a knee injury, but he is healthy now and should at least allow Wagner to take some plays off.

If Magee develops as expected, look for him to play a larger role as the season goes on, with the expectation being that he will take over Wagner’s role in 2026.

Peters surprised many analysts by taking UCLA’s Kain Medrano in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was a very fast, active linebacker in college. At minimum, he will almost certainly win a job as a special-teams presence.

Look for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to use Medrano the same way he deployed Chinn last season. Physically, he is a virtual clone of Washington’s former safety. His style of play is similar. He is best going downhill.

Medrano showed good coverage skills in college, so he could also become something of a passing-down specialist. Both Medrano and Magee should see the field a fair bit in 2025, allowing them to mature and veterans Wagner and Luvu to get some time off.

The Commanders also have 2024 draft pick Dominique Hampton, who will get a shot at that hybrid linebacker/safety spot, as well as several young developmental players who are most likely competing for practice squad places.

Special-teams ace Nick Bellore is ostensibly a linebacker as well, though he will not play the position unless there is an emergency. The Commanders would love to keep the veteran around, but would love it even more if one or two of their younger players prove good enough on special teams to take the spot from him.

More Commanders news and analysis


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

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