Commanders LBs Living Up to Expectations, High Praise for Rookie

Arguably no room was better addressed this offseason than the linebackers after the Washington Commanders turned to Leo Chenal in free agency before drafting former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the first pick in April's draft. Joining a unit that already featured Frankie Luvu Jr., who sported the 'green dot' in week one of OTAs, along with Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano, it's a unit that fuels reason for optimism as "thoughtful" and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones puts his new pieces together on defense.

It's also a big reason why head coach Dan Quinn speaks glowingly of his linebacker room just about every time he's asked, again reiterating that "I feel them in all different ways and different accommodations" when talking about Magee, Luvu, Styles and Chenal.

"And certainly Kain [Medrano] and Ale [Kaho] too, honestly," Quinn added.

It's why it's an encouraging sign that Quinn has reiterated the acclimation of the upgraded linebacker rotation after noting he likes "the urgency that I'm seeing from them."

"Guys have been intermixing in between groups, but there is a lot of speed."

Magee and Luvu flashed their athleticism over the last two seasons, albeit through up-and-down performances, but it's also the overall trait that both Chenal and Styles add to the front seven. Both instinctive linebackers ranked among the highest graded linebackers in NFL scouting combine history after both recorded a 9.99 RAS score.

Yet the compliment from new teammate Odafe Oweh, who will be a big part of the Commanders' pass rush solution in 2026, is further testament to the direction the front office turned to this offseason.

"He's like a baby Bobby Wagner," Oweh told reporters about Styles following day one of week two of OTAs.

While Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have remained consistent that the door will never close for Wagner in DC, the comparison is indirect evidence of the Commanders actually going that different direction that fans questioned would materialize during the 2025 season.

The reigning Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year could be among the veterans who opt to ink with a new team closer to training camp or preseason with a chance to scout the best fit, but the Commanders will likely be in a much different place defensively by then. Add in the fact that the conversation will likely turn to how ready Styles is to inherit 'green dot' responsibilities ahead of the official start of his rookie season, the Commanders' defense has turned a new page, fueling reason for steady optimism surrounding the Commanders' front seven.

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