Bobby Wagner is 34 years of age, so how much can he bring to the Commanders?
Just days ago (June 27), Wagner had his 34th birthday. The vast majority of NFL players never make it to age 34. But of course, Wagner has proven to not be the vast majority of NFL players.
“Instant credibility.” That’s what London Fletcher said Wagner brings to the Washington defense. Fletcher was with Michael Jenkins and Fred Smoot discussing the Commanders linebacker position room.
“He still brings playmaking ability even at 34 years old. It reminds me of myself when I made the transition to DC,” added Fletcher.
“You bring him in first and foremost for his leadership. He’s a great leader. He’s been on great defenses. He knows how to run the system Dan Quinn wants.”
“It’s one thing to be a leader; it’s quite another to also be able to make plays, and he’s still a high-level playmaker.”
Jenkins and former Smoot chimed in and gave some very exalted praise for Wagner.
As usual, it’s July, and the free agents your team signed in the offseason will be able to jumpstart your defense and make it one of the better defenses in the NFL.
In this case, will Wagner be able to defy aging, set the tone for your defense, and lead the team?
Yes, it’s odd that the last four seasons, Washington’s head coach and defensive coordinator were both NFL linebackers. Yet the linebacker position group was the team’s weakest.
Yes, it’s fair to believe Wagner and Frankie Luvu will improve the play of the position group and also of the defense overall.
But once again, we see too often fans becoming giddy, only seeing the best-case scenarios and discounting the fact that aging NFL players often break down due to injury.
Is a more realistic expectation to see some defensive improvement, but how much may depend on how many games, your new acquisitions are injury free?