Washington’s linebacker room looks nothing like it did a year ago, and that’s exactly why the Commanders may have found one of their most intriguing units heading into 2026.
General manager Adam Peters completely reshaped the front seven, and the second level of the defense is where the upside really jumps off the page. For the past two seasons, Bobby Wagner gave Washington the kind of football IQ and steady leadership every defense wants.
But the tradeoff was obvious: the group didn’t have much juice. Wagner was on the field for 99% of the team’s defensive snaps, and depending on the matchup, he could be tested in space or in coverage.
That’s the old version of this group. The new one is built around athleticism, versatility and the kind of schematic freedom Washington simply hasn’t had in years.
At the center of it all is first-round pick Sonny Styles. He’s the player who gives this unit its highest ceiling, and he’s the one who could change the way the Commanders defend.
Styles can rush the passer, drop into coverage, handle the slot, shoot gaps, or chase plays from sideline to sideline against the run. That kind of range makes him one of the most fascinating defensive rookies in the league, because it gives Washington a linebacker who can stay on the field in almost any situation.
The real question is how fast Styles adjusts to NFL speed. If that transition comes quickly, Washington’s defense could open up in a way it hasn’t in a long time.
The other major addition is Leo Chenal, who comes over after spending his first four seasons in Kansas City behind an established linebacker group. In Washington, he has a real chance to carve out a meaningful role and prove he’s more than just a depth option. His game fits neatly next to Styles, and together they give the Commanders two linebackers who can create problems on both levels of the defense.
Then there are the two returning pieces: Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee.
Stylistically, both make sense for what Daronte Jones wants to do. Luvu brings pressure as a blitzer and can wreck plays as a penetrating linebacker, which is exactly the sort of weapon Jones can use.
He’s in the final year of his contract, but if Jones puts him in the right spots, Luvu could remind people why he was one of the league’s dynamic linebackers in 2024. Even with that in mind, it will be worth watching whether Washington entertains calls on the veteran as the regular season gets closer.
Magee’s story is different. He was Washington’s most explosive linebacker over the last two seasons, but availability has been the issue.
Injuries limited him in 2024, and in 2025 he was healthier and saw more snaps, only to get pushed into the background by Wagner and Luvu. The good news for him entering his third season is that Jones doesn’t owe anyone anything on the depth chart.
Competition matters here, and Magee’s athletic traits absolutely give him a chance. But athletic traits alone won’t keep him on the field.
The one piece still hanging over the whole group is the interior defensive line. That unit will go a long way toward deciding how dominant the linebackers can be. If Washington’s front can consistently take on blockers, this linebacker corps has the speed, range and versatility to control matchups.
That’s the promise of this group: not just competence, but real game-changing potential.
In Other News...
Commanders Are Already Dealing With A Defensive Camp Nightmare
Washington is opening training camp with an early hit to the defense, as Dorance Armstrong Jr., Trey Amos and Deatrich Wise Jr. all begin on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Armstrong and Amos are coming off significant injuries from last season, and their absence immediately thins out a unit that was supposed to be a point of emphasis as the Commanders try to move past a disappointing 2025.
The bigger concern is not just who is missing now, but how much the team had been counting on these players to help steady the front and the back end. Armstrong was already facing a reduced role in Daronte Jones defense after the arrivals of Odafe Oweh and KLavon Chaisson, while Amos had been viewed as a possible Year 2 breakout candidate before his setback. Washington is still hoping the group can work its way back in time for the season, but camp has barely started and the defense is already trying to absorb another setback. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Camp Opens With One Roster Question Hanging Over Everything
Training camp opens this week with the full roster due Tuesday and the first practice set for Wednesday, giving the Commanders their first real chance to sort through a crowded 91-man group before the cutdown to 53. It is also the first extended look at how new offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones want to shape the team, with joint practices, preseason games and a steady stream of reps all feeding into decisions that will ripple through the rest of August.
For Washington, the intrigue is not just about scheme changes but about who can seize a role quickly enough to matter. The staff will be watching rookies closely, along with any potential additions that could alter the depth chart, and there is still a sense that one more move could change the tone of camp before the roster picture starts to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face An Uncomfortable WR2 Question Around A Big Name
The Commanders are still sorting out what the passing game looks like behind Terry McLaurin, and the search for a reliable No. 2 has naturally pulled a big name into the conversation. Stefon Diggs is available, he has ties to the Washington area, and the idea of pairing him with Jayden Daniels is the kind of move that would at least make the front office think hard about how much proven receiver help it wants to add.
Diggs, though, would not be stepping into a tidy setup where the job is clearly defined for him. Washington already has several pass-catchers competing for touches and roles, which makes the fit more complicated than a simple name-value upgrade. For the Commanders, the question is not just whether Diggs is interested, but whether he would arrive as the answer to their WR2 issue or simply add another layer to it. [Read more 🡒]