Tag: Frankie Luvu

Commanders coach Dan Quinn on Bobby Wagner: ‘He’s all that I love about football’

Dan Quinn has been a massive Bobby Wagner fan for over a decade.

New Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn only spent two seasons with linebacker Bobby Wagner in Seattle. But those two seasons were in Wagner’s formative years (2013-14), and the future Hall of Fame linebacker left quite the impression on his former defensive coordinator.

Quinn left to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, while Wagner remained with Seattle for the next eight seasons. In 2022, the Seahawks released Wagner after 10 seasons. He suddenly became a sought-after free agent, despite his age and rarely ever leaving the field.

At this time, Quinn was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys and he wanted Wagner. However, Wagner signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was terrific again, making the Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro. Unfortunately, after the 2022 season, the Rams decided to shed salaries after a Super Bowl run and released Wagner.

Quinn tried to get the Cowboys to sign him again. He chose a return to Seattle.

Earlier this month, in free agency, Quinn finally got his man when Wagner signed a one-year deal with the Commanders. Wagner, who will turn 34 in June, remains one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers and leaders.

Wagner discussed his reasons for signing with Washington, which included Quinn.

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

This week, Quinn was a guest on Moving the Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio and discussed the Commanders signing Wagner.

“He’s all that I love about football,” Quinn said. “Like, he’s a tackler; he’s aggressive; he’s tough; he’s smart; he takes care of himself. And, so, what I’m hopeful to see — and I’m certain it’ll happen — he’s a multiplier. Wags is. Because this is how the standard is, this is how I operate, this is a process to go through. If you were a young linebacker being around somebody, this is the exact type of linebacker you’d want to be around. A defensive ballplayer in that instance. Seeing that standard of how we operate. I thought that was really important, and so that’s why I’m so lit up about getting him here.”

Quinn said he’s coached against Wagner a lot and how the offense would always need to game plan around Wagner.

The Commanders have struggled to find consistent linebacker play for years. The previous regime ignored the position, but Quinn and general manager Adam Peters quickly changed that, signing Wagner and former Panthers LB Frankie Luvu. Wagner may not be the same player he was five years ago, but he remains one of the best. His presence in 2024 will be as impactful for Washington in the offseason and on the practice field as it will be on the field in the fall.

 

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.

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.

LOOK: New Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is switching to a single-digit number

No. 4 looks good on Luvu.

In his three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, new Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu wore the No. 49 jersey. Upon signing with the Commanders, that number was off-limits, as it is retired as the number of the legendary Bobby Mitchell.

So, would Luvu return to the No. 50 he wore with the New York Jets when he first entered the NFL?

We have our answer. Per Washington’s X page, Luvu will wear No. 4 in 2024. The No. 4 jersey was worn by wide receiver Curtis Samuel in 2023, but Samuel departed in free agency. From 2020-22, quarterback Taylor Heinicke donned the No. 4.

While it may take some getting used to, the No. 4 looks pretty slick on Luvu.

Before 2021, Luvu would’ve had to wear a more traditional linebacker number. However, the NFL relaxed those rules, allowing more flexibility for jersey numbers.

Washington’s signing of Luvu has been praised around the NFL, as many believe his football is still ahead of him.

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.

Bobby Wagner is bringing leadership to the Commanders

Wagner talks why he came to Washington at this stage of his career and who he is excited to play with.

Dan Quinn strikes again!

Newly signed linebacker of the decade Bobby Wagner didn’t surprise anyone when he made it clear with the media Friday, that new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was a major reason he came to Washington. In addition, his former Seattle Seahawks linebacker coach, Ken Norton Jr, is also a major factor in why Wagner is now a Commander.

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

Turning 34 in June, Wagner has a lot of miles on him. So, Washington only signed him to a one-year deal. He was asked Friday what he brings to the Commanders at this point of his career. “I feel like I bring a leader, somebody you can depend on. A playmaker, somebody that’s going to be an extension of the coaches.”

Wagner is already planning for life after the NFL. He is determined to earn a degree (MBA) at Howard University and started the program in January online. He had planned on doing his classwork online but said, “That might change now.” Wagner is thinking that he has now signed with Washington and might attend the classes in person at Howard.

Wagner is also excited about the Commanders’ signing Carolina Panthers’ linebacker Frankie Luvu this week. Wagner expressed Friday that the two have previously worked out together in Seattle. He is high on Luvu and is excited about working together in the middle of the Commanders’ defense.

Wagner will be wearing jersey No. 54. The number was last worn by long snapper Camaron Cheeseman.

 

Photos from the Panthers career of Frankie Luvu

Gallery: 25 photos from the Carolina Panthers career of Frankie Luvu

It was fun, but Frankie Luvu’s time with the Carolina Panthers has come to an end.

On Friday, the Washington Commanders officially signed the beloved linebacker to a three-year, $36 million. Luvu spent the past three years in Carolina, where he recorded 279 tackles and 14.0 sacks.

So, as he moves on to the next level of his NFL career, let’s acknowledge Uce’s time with the Panthers . . .

Panthers reportedly made late push to retain LB Frankie Luvu

Per multiple reports, the Panthers made a late push to keep Frankie Luvu around before he came to terms with the Commanders.

Well, they tried.

Yesterday, the Carolina Panthers lost some heart and soul—as linebacker Frankie Luvu reportedly agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders. Luvu is expected to sign a three-year, $36 million pact to make the move a bit further north.

The decision, however, didn’t come without some resistance from the Panthers—who wanted to keep the versatile defender around.

As first reported by JP Finlay of NBC Sports, Carolina made a “late push” to retain Luvu on Monday. That information was backed by Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, who noted on Tuesday afternoon that the Panthers stayed in touch with Luvu’s representation throughout the process.

Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan made that interest in Luvu quite clear at this year’s scouting combine.

“We have all intentions on re-signing Frankie,” Morgan said a few weeks ago. “We love Frankie. He embodies what a Panther is. He’s tough, he’s got that dawg mentality we talk about. Nothing’s guaranteed in this league, but we are gonna try to extend him.”

That, of course, would not be the case.

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Report: Free-agent pass rusher Chase Young expected to meet with Panthers

Per NFL Network, the Panthers are expected to meet with former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young.

The Carolina Panthers are chasing after some much-needed defensive help.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday afternoon, free-agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to meet with the Panthers this week. Young, per Pelissero, is also set to visit with the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.

Young was selected with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. The Ohio State University standout proceeded to immediately stand out in the pros, as a 7.5-sack campaign helped earn him AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Injuries woes, however, would derail his next two seasons. Young played in 12 of a possible 34 games between 2021 and 2022, where he totaled just 1.5 sacks.

He would eventually be traded to the San Francisco 49ers at the 2023 trade deadline. Young ended the season with 7.5 sacks.

Carolina, who finished last in quarterback takedowns this past season, should certainly be in the market for edge help—especially after yesterday’s trade of two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns. The roster also lost fellow linebacker Frankie Luvu, who recorded the second-most sacks (5.5) on the team in 2023.

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