Commanders have made no decision on LB Jamin Davis’ 5th-year option

Washington has yet to make a decision on LB Jamin Davis, although it looks fairly obvious.

The Washington Commanders have until after next month’s 2024 NFL draft to decide whether to exercise linebacker Jamin Davis’ fifth-year option for 2025.

According to general manager Adam Peters, he and head coach Dan Quinn have yet to decide on Davis.

In reality, what was he supposed to say? If the deadline was this week, there is no way that Washington picks up Davis’ fifth-year option. And nothing can change from now until after the draft to change their minds.

Through three NFL seasons, Davis, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has yet to play up to his status as a first-round pick. After initially selecting Davis to be a middle linebacker, Washington’s former staff quickly realized he was a better fit on the outside.

Davis has had his share of moments. He’s improved each season, with his best season coming in 2023. Davis had his first career interception and forced two fumbles last season. However, new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn went into free agency with the goal of improving at linebacker. The Commanders signed Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, both of whom will start.

That tells you where they are with Davis — for now. If Washington doesn’t pick up the fifth-year option, that doesn’t mean he’s not included in its plans. The 2024 season is a turning point for Davis. Coaching was a real issue for all of Washington’s defensive players in recent years. That will not be an excuse moving forward. Quinn will determine what Davis does best and put him in a position to succeed.

The rest is up to Davis.

Tyrel Dodson to replace Bobby Wagner as new Seahawks middle linebacker

It seems they’ve already figured out one of the key questions regarding their defense.

The Seahawks coaching staff passed on attending this year’s Scouting Combine, leaving that work to general manager John Schneider. Mike Macdonald’s staff had other things to take care of, namely installing a whole new scheme in all three phases in a matter of weeks before players arrive to begin the offseason program on April 8.

It seems they’ve already figured out one of the key questions regarding their defense. Schneider told Seattle Sports 710 that free agent pickup Tyrel Dodson will be replacing Bobby Wagner as the team’s new middle linebacker. Meanwhile, Jerome Baker will take over Jordyn Brooks’ former role on the weakside. However, we don’t know who will wear the green dot on defense as of yet. H/T Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times.

“But Schneider said that as of today Baker would be the weakside linebacker (Brooks’ position last year) and Dodson the middle linebacker (Wagner’s)… And whether that means Dodson now steps into the green dot role, or Baker handles it from the weakside spot, Schneider didn’t specifically say.”

Coming from Buffalo, Dodson signed a one-year deal with Seattle worth $4.25 million. He’s coming off a breakout 2023 season, earning 10 starts and posting 74 tackles (eight for a loss), 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and just one touchdown allowed in coverage. While his snap count was relatively low compared to other elite linebackers around the league, he earned the highest PFF grade at his position last season.

The x-factor for the success of Dodson and Baker will be how they perform in coverage compared to Wagner and Brooks. While it’s true that weakness in coverage is the norm for most NFL linebackers, the Seahawks clearly went out of their way to get two defenders who are far better than average at their position in this department. If they provide a real bump here it should raise the overall ceiling for how Seattle’s defense performs significantly.

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Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024

Adam Peters is slowly reshaping the NFL’s worst defense.

The Washington Commanders entered free agency with over $90 million in available salary cap space. Washington general manager Adam Peters had some money to spend but several holes to fill on both sides of the ball.

Early in free agency, Peters aggressively filled some of the Commanders’ needs on the offensive line, at linebacker and edge rusher. He even worked to shore up Washington’s special teams by signing a new kicker and long snapper.

However, Peters spent wisely across the board. There were no record-setting deals that reset the market at their respective positions. Instead, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn worked to improve the 2024 roster while remaining flexible in 2025 and beyond.

On Saturday, we looked at Washington’s offensive spending for 2024. Currently, the Commanders have the fifth-cheapest offensive roster for next season. That will change after the 2024 NFL draft when Washington likely selects a quarterback at No. 2 overall.

But what has Washington done to improve the defense?

Per Over the Cap, the Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024. Washington has significant money tied up in defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Also, linebacker Jamin Davis and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes are on first-round contracts.

To improve the NFL’s worst defense, Peters signed linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — both will start. At edge rusher, the Commanders signed Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell. Armstrong signed a three-year deal, while Fowler and Ferrell agreed to one-year pacts. Washington also re-signed defensive end Efe Obada.

Washington has almost $106 million committed to the defense in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the NFL’s most expensive defense ($160.3 million) but the NFL’s cheapest offense ($64.8 million). The Commanders currently have $82.8 million committed to the offense thus far for 2024.

Wagner ($6.5 million), Armstrong ($4.9 million), safety Jeremy Chinn ($3.9 million) and Luvu ($3.9 million) have four of Washington’s top 12 cap hits for 2024.

Payne ($21.6 million) and Allen ($21.4 million) have the second and third-highest cap hits for 2024 behind wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Commanders among the NFL’s most improved teams after first wave of free agency

Washington was named as one of the NFL’s most improved teams through the early stages of free agency.

The Washington Commanders entered free agency with at least 27 free agents, plenty of roster holes, but the most salary cap room in the NFL.

How would new general manager Adam Peters approach free agency?

Peters gave some hints ahead of free agency that the Commanders would always prefer to build the roster via the NFL draft and use free agency to supplement the roster.

On the first day of the legal tampering period ahead of free agency, Washington agreed to terms with six players. The Commanders remained busy, signing several more players last week, including future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner. Since Sunday, Washington has signed three cornerbacks to add depth after Kendall Fuller’s departure.

Much of Peters’ strategy was to sign players with ties to new head coach Dan Quinn and his coaching staff to raise Washington’s floor in 2024 without sacrificing future cap flexibility.

Mission accomplished. The Commanders will be better in 2024. They’ve filled numerous holes that will allow them to use the 2024 NFL draft to focus on adding the best player available. Washington holds nine picks in next month’s draft, including six of the top 100.

How much better is Washington now compared to the end of the season? That’s difficult to say, but it was a low bar. The Commanders were 4-13 last season.

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated recently named his most improved teams after the first week of free agency. Manzano had eight teams on the list, with Washington coming in at No. 6.

The teams that make the most noise in free agency often regret the spring shopping spree come fall. Perhaps the Commanders have found the right formula for spending in free agency after many of their signings went unnoticed.

The additions of Armstrong and Luvu are two of many smart, savvy signings the Commanders had last week. Their presence will help one of the worst defenses in the league, and it didn’t require the team to overspend on the open market. Armstrong, the former underrated Cowboys edge rusher, agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract. Luvu, the former versatile playmaker of the Panthers, agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract.

Washington also added (Clelin) Ferrell, Wagner and (Jeremy) Chinn on one-year deals. New coach Dan Quinn now has the talent to improve the defense without the team having to make long-term commitments. The incoming rookie quarterback—the Commanders have the No. 2 pick in the draft—could have a decent surrounding with the arrivals of Ekeler, Allegretti and Biadasz.

Comparing Washington’s “shopping spree” to some of the others in recent years isn’t a fair comparison. The Commanders didn’t shop at the top of the market for anyone. Armstrong and Luvu received nice three-year deals but were hardly market-setting contracts.

Peters can now focus on continuing to add depth and find Washington’s quarterback of the future next month.

Commanders signing linebacker Frankie Luvu named one of the NFL offseason’s top 10 moves

More praise for new Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu.

In four seasons as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera never could figure out the linebacker position. Whether it was his refusal to invest in the position in free agency or just choosing the wrong players, the position was a significant weakness for Washington.

In three days last week, new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn did more to address the position than in Rivera’s entire tenure.

The Commanders signed former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu to a three-year deal and followed that up by landing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. Wagner may be entering his 12th season in 2024, but he proved he has plenty left in the tank last season.

Luvu is coming off his best two seasons and, at 27, is an ascending player. He fits everything that Peters, Quinn, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. describe as players they wanted to build around.

Luvu’s signing has been touted as one of the more underrated moves of the offseason. Cody Benjamin of CBS took that a step further, calling Luvu’s signing one of the 10 best moves of the offseason thus far.

Bobby Wagner is the bigger name joining new coach Dan Quinn’s defense in Washington, but Luvu has the makeup of a real building block. The former Carolina Panthers standout is going on 28 but appears to be just entering his prime, emerging as a fast, physical, downhill pocket disruptor. He’s got the potential to be a tone-setter for a franchise in transition.

Washington fans will love Luvu, and don’t be surprised if he’s a popular jersey among fans next season.

How to buy Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey

Pre-order your Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey now so you’ll be ready to celebrate the Commanders’ newest acquisition

The Washington Commanders have been a team with a lot of moving parts in the early stages of the NFL’s free agency period.

One of the newest acquisitions is LB Bobby Wagner.

The longtime Seattle Seahawks defender is bringing his star status into a revamped Washington locker room, alongside linebacker Frankie Luvu. The Commanders inked him to a free-agent contract.

Such a move has to be celebrated immediately properly!

Be the first of your friends to get your hands on the new Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jersey:

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Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jersey (Fanatics)

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While it may take the NFL a little while to get used to Wagner in burgundy, Commanders fans are more than ready to see him in his new threads.

Both the men’s and women’s Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jerseys are available now at Fanatics:

Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders Nike Women's Game Player Jersey - Burgundy
Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders women’s jersey (Fanatics)

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We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Commanders Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

How to buy Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey

Pre-order your Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey now so you’ll be ready to celebrate the Commanders’ newest acquisition

The Washington Commanders have been a team with a lot of moving parts in the early stages of the NFL’s free agency period.

One of the newest acquisitions is LB Bobby Wagner.

The longtime Seattle Seahawks defender is bringing his star status into a revamped Washington locker room, alongside linebacker Frankie Luvu. The Commanders inked him to a free-agent contract.

Such a move has to be celebrated immediately properly!

Be the first of your friends to get your hands on the new Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jersey:

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Qy9AR3″]

While it may take the NFL a little while to get used to Wagner in burgundy, Commanders fans are more than ready to see him in his new threads.

Both the men’s and women’s Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jerseys are available now at Fanatics:

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders men’s jersey” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Qy9AR3″]

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We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Commanders Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

How to buy Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey

Pre-order your Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey now so you’ll be ready to celebrate the Commanders’ newest acquisition

The Washington Commanders have been a team with a lot of moving parts in the early stages of the NFL’s free agency period.

One of the newest acquisitions is LB Bobby Wagner.

The longtime Seattle Seahawks defender is bringing his star status into a revamped Washington locker room, alongside linebacker Frankie Luvu. The Commanders inked him to a free-agent contract.

Such a move has to be celebrated immediately properly!

Be the first of your friends to get your hands on the new Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jersey:

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders jersey” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Qy9AR3″]

While it may take the NFL a little while to get used to Wagner in burgundy, Commanders fans are more than ready to see him in his new threads.

Both the men’s and women’s Bobby Wagner Washington Commanders jerseys are available now at Fanatics:

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders men’s jersey” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/Qy9AR3″]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders women’s jersey” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/LXLOzM”]

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Bobby Wagner Commanders gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/xkKr01″]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Commanders Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Seahawks GM John Schneider comments on what happened with Jordyn Brooks

The truth is Seattle let Brooks walk and Bobby Wagner too.

You can’t always take what an NFL executive says at face value. Seahawks fans should have had that lesson permanently seared into their minds two years ago when the organization convinced everyone that they would be drafting Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder. Thankfully, it was an elaborate smokescreen. Seattle passed on Ridder and put together a magnificent draft class.

We may have another example of this from general manager John Schneider’s comments last week about inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks leaving in free agency. Brooks signed a three-year, max $30 million deal with Miami, which was very much in Seattle’s price-range to match if they really wanted to keep him. However, when Schneider was asked about what happened he claims it was a matter of timing.

Supposedly, the team had prioritized signing Leonard Williams first. While they were working on those negotiations, the Dolphins moved quicker than they could to sign Brooks, per Mike Dugar at the Athletic.

“Really, it was the timing of it. We were working on Leonard (Williams.) Leonard’s deal took a while… they had a deal on the table and we just couldn’t move as quickly as they did. They had lost out on a couple of guys that day so they were moving quickly… We had prioritized Leonard ahead of the linebacker position at that point.”

While it’s right to put Williams’ contract first the idea that the Seahawks literally didn’t have the time to speak with Brooks before he signed with the Dolphins is absurd. Schneider’s other comments later in his answer are far more revealing, especially saying “you have to take the emotion out of it” twice. That says everything you need to know. The truth is Seattle let Brooks walk and Bobby Wagner too.

Since then the team has signed two free agent linebackers to replace Brooks and Wagner: Tyrel Dodson of the Bills and Jerome Baker from the Dolphins are both coming in on one-year deals. Our best guess is that they’re not done here yet, though. Fans should expect an off-ball linebacker to be on the menu in the 2024 NFL draft. Michigan’s Junior Colson is a popular candidate given his connections with head coach Mike Macdonald, but this is considered a thin class of linebackers overall.

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Bobby Wagner reveals former Washington linebacker London Fletcher was a mentor

Wagner reveals the impact London Fletcher had on his career.

When Bobby Wagner was introduced to the media last week after signing a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders, he made it clear why this was the spot for him.

“I think DQ (Dan Quinn) does an amazing job of just putting all the players in the right positions and, you know, getting the best out of everybody,” he said. “Nort’s (LB coach Ken Norton Jr.) one of my favorite coaches of all time, so that was enough for me.”

Quinn coached Wagner early in his career with Seattle for two seasons and had tried to sign Wagner in each of the last two offseasons when he was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

Norton was Wagner’s linebacker coach for his first three NFL seasons and his defensive coordinator for four seasons. But another person important to Wagner led him to Washington: London Fletcher.

Fletcher enjoyed a 16-year NFL career that ended after the 2013 season. His final seven seasons came in Washington. Wagner’s first two NFL seasons were Fletcher’s final two in the league.

“I’ve been a huge fan of London Fletcher and actually somebody I was able to meet last year in person,” Wagner said. “And he’s been a huge help in my career. I reached out to him one time, and he offered some advice. So, just understanding there has been great linebacker here and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Fletcher is now a member of Washington’s broadcast team, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the pair to catch up this season.

Fletcher has been on the Hall of Fame ballot in recent years but continues to fall short.