The Washington Commanders have 29 free agents with their futures hanging in the balance heading into the 2025 offseason. Among the most high-profile is veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Washington benefitted greatly from Wagner's presence during their critical transition into a new era. One could argue that aside from head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels, he was the most important offseason addition.
Wagner led a supreme culture shift within the organization. He helped instill a winning mentality into the locker room. He taught young pros how to prepare effectively and show the right resolve in the face of adversity. When the Commanders were going through a slump midway through the campaign, everyone looked to the former second-round pick for inspiration.
While he's not getting any younger, Wagner still performed well. He made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors. A new deal should be there if he wants it, but a situation could emerge where the Commanders go in a different direction with a younger, sideline-to-sideline presence at the defensive second level.
If Wagner and the Commanders go their separate ways, here are five potential replacements for the veteran this offseason.
Potential replacements if Commanders don't extend Bobby Wagner in 2025
Commanders could draft Carson Schwesinger
Should the Washington Commanders seek a long-term replacement for Bobby Wagner if an extension cannot be agreed upon, going down the draft route seems feasible. Examining Carson Schwesinger's credentials in greater detail wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Schwesinger soared up draft boards thanks to a breakout campaign with the UCLA Bruins in 2024. The prospect was a relentless force in all phases, gaining 136 tackles, four sacks, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. He's got sideline-to-sideline range and plays with relentless aggression that will catch the eye of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.
The Oaks Christian School product is a fluid mover in coverage, can rush the passer when the situation dictates, and boasts sound tackling technique. Schwesinger is a little undersized, so bulking up slightly in the pros would be beneficial. There's also the question of whether his 2024 campaign was a flash in the pan or the start of something more.
Even if Wagner is retained, the Commanders could still draft Schwesinger. Having a year to learn from one of the greatest linebackers of the modern era would be highly advantageous for his long-term aspirations. Given the esteem in which he was held by coaches and teammates in college, he'd soak up every piece of information no matter how big or small.