The Washington Commanders have a lot of new pieces in its linebacker room in 2026, but how do they fare in 2026?
As well as the rest of the defense, which fared much worse in 2025 than its 2024 output, the Washington Commanders' linebacker room added much-needed upgrades across the board when it came to depth and the starters. Those questions will not be answered until they line up across from the Philadelphia Eagles in their season opener on September 13.
The new faces are Leo Chenal, coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, and seventh overall draft pick Sonny Styles out of Ohio State. Chenal was a role player and occasional starter for the Chiefs in his first three seasons before finally becoming a full-time starter in 2025, when he recorded 58 tackles and a sack. A converted safety, Styles is a high-pedigree linebacker that was a first-team All-American in 2025 who recorded 84 tackles (6.5 for loss) and one sack and showed his athletic ability by running a 4.46 second in the 40 yard dash at the combine, 43.5-inch vertical leap, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump at the combine.
Frankie Luvu is the main holdover from the linebacker corps; he had a down year in 2025, where he recorded 86 tackles and three sacks, which was down from his 8 in 2024, and was subbed out at times last season due to his spotty play amidst widespread struggles in pass coverage. However, with new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and two faster players to play alongside him, the former Second-Team All-Pro can find a better fit on the defense.
Jordan McGee, Nick Ballore and Kain Medrano round out the depth chart. Magee has demonstrated that he can perform in limited roles, but he has not shown the consistency needed to be considered ahead of the three other players mentioned, while Ballore and Medrano are primarily competing to secure a spot on the roster through special teams.
Biggest training camp question: Are there enough snaps for Chenal, Styles, and Luvu?
Ahead of week one, unofficial depth charts list Chenal and Styles are listed as the first-team starters going into camp, but Styles is a rookie and Chenal has only been a full-time starter for less than a year, but all three have the ability and ideally would be put into a rotation with the hopes of Styles being the three-down linebacker that does not come off the field, which in the ideal scenario puts Styles and Chenal on the field on first and second down and puts Luvu on the field in passing situations. Luvu recorded 18.5 sacks from 2022 to 2024 and can be a mismatch for tackles, like when he was used in 2024. Luvu, 29, is in contact and knows he has to find a way to make an impact under a new defensive coordinator if he wants to have another big contract this coming offseason.
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