The best news the Washington Commanders can receive right now is that they will not be losing this weekend.
Mercifully, the Commanders are on a bye in Week 12. This gives them a much-needed opportunity to assess what has been a disastrous season and the plan of attack moving forward.
Injuries have been the primary catalyst for Washington's underwhelming campaign, but there has been no shortage of disappointments even among the healthy players. The cornerbacks and safeties have taken the most heat, but it's been another group serving as arguably the Commanders' No. 1 top positional letdown.
Commanders need an offseason rethink at the linebacker postion
Entering the 2025 season, the linebacker position was seen as perhaps Washington's single most significant strength. Frankie Luvu was the breakout gem of the Commanders' defense last season. Bobby Wagner, although he was aging, had to be considered an impact performer until he wasn't. Both were named second-team All-Pros in 2024.
This season, it's been a different story.
Wagner's age has finally begun to show, with his limitations making him a liability in space. His tackle numbers are still among the best in the league, but that's heavily misleading when his lack of speed is so often targeted.
The 29-year-old Luvu has been the much bigger concern. Last season, he enjoyed a career year with eight sacks, all while emerging as the enforcer of the Commanders' defense with his hard-hitting, energetic style of play. This year, he's only gained two sacks and has far too often been downright invisible on the field.
The defensive scheme has been part of the issue, with both players' roles raising some question marks. Wagner should only be a situational contributor at this stage of his career, much like the Commanders' fellow veteran addition, Von Miller. Luvu has been used as an edge rusher at times due to all of the injuries at defensive end, as well as to give Jordan Magee more run at linebacker.
Both Luvu and Wagner had some positive moments against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, the Commanders' first game after head coach Dan Quinn took over defensive coordinator duties from Joe Whitt Jr., but the occasional reminder of their presence was not the standard Washington had set for them.
Maybe the expectations were the problem all along, for one player on the wrong side of 35 and another who only had one outlier campaign. Whatever the case, in a year full of letdowns across the board, the Commanders' linebackers have been right at the top of the list.