Frankie Luvu hasn't been his typically dynamic self over the early stages of the campaign. It's nothing to overly concern just yet, but the Washington Commanders need more from the ferocious linebacker to meet their lofty expectations in 2025.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. knows why Luvu's influence has waned. And it didn't make for encouraging listening, particularly among fans.
Luvu was a sensation last season after he arrived for decent money in free agency from the Carolina Panthers. The former Washington State standout earned second-team All-Pro honors, forming an incredible second-level partnership with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner en route to becoming the beating heart of everything good on defense.
Commanders must adjust scheme to unleash Frankie Luvu after slow start
These high-performance levels haven't been replicated so far. Whitt lifted the lid on why, which centered on the added attention Luvu is receiving from opposing offenses after becoming a dominant game-wrecker during the previous campaign.
"People are treating him more like a big, so he's getting more protections turned to him getting more blocks by the tackles and the linemen other than the back where last year he got more of the back and that's what he has to, when you produce and you show what you did, have the type of season that he had last year you're going to be treated as such."Joe Whitt Jr.
This comes with the territory, and it's something all the elite defenders have to deal with. Luvu is a dynamic player who can change the tide of any game if afforded enough room to work. Teams are keying in on limiting his productivity. Whitt knows what the issue is, so he needs to find the correct answers to consistently free up one of his premier performers to do damage.
Whitt is an accomplished coach and a no-nonsense motivator. He should be able to adjust accordingly, but how he goes about this remains unclear. One thing is for sure: the Commanders won't get far without Luvu being a strong presence. The sooner he gets back to last season's form, the better.
Luvu knows that he's not been up to par as yet. There is plenty of time for that to change. If Whitt can scheme around the extra attention coming his way, it shouldn't take much longer for improvements to arrive.
The second-level enforcer faces a problem that requires a comprehensive solution. The Commanders' defensive fortunes depend on it.