Commanders' Jordan Magee drifting toward a roster fate that feels all wrong

The Washington Commanders have two preseason contests left to play, and everybody's focus has turned to the battle to make the final cut on head coach Dan Quinn's roster.

There will be some difficult decisions to make. And for fan-favorite Jordan Magee, he could unexpectedly find himself in quite the precarious position.

Every year, there's always one or two preseason cuts who shock everybody.

Jordan Magee shockingly projected for the Commanders' chopping block at final cuts

Last year, it was defensive end Clelin Ferrell. He was considered a virtual lock but didn't survive to Week 1. This year, one local analyst has floated Magee as someone who could be the odd man out in Washington's crowded linebacker room.

Lake Lewis Jr. of ESPN Radio was interviewed by podcast host Deuce Redzone about Washington's linebacker corps, and he went on record with a bold prediction. You heard it here first: Magee will be made surplus to requirements.

Lewis claims that Washington will prioritize No. 7 pick Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, and free-agent signing Leo Chenal as rotational inside linebackers. Then, he expects the Commanders to keep Ale Kaho and Kain Medrano over Magee for special teams purposes.

That would be a stunner, to say the least.

At the end of last season, Magee was expected to be Washington's heir apparent to veteran Bobby Wagner's middle linebacker role. But after flashing on the rotation over his first two seasons without doing quite enough to cement his plans, things have now changed.

Obviously, a wrench was thrown into those plans when the team drafted Styles and signed Chenal. The Commanders also brought in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to implement a 3-4 scheme with edge rushers replacing the traditional outside linebackers, further complicating his path to playing time.

Still, it doesn't feel right that Magee would be outright cut. He's entering his third season after making significant strides last fall. His speed and athleticism make the former Temple standout a valuable player to have on the field.

If Washington is keeping only five traditional linebackers, the obvious cut seems like Kaho.

The 2025 undrafted free agent stuck around last year and became a decent special-teamer in Year 1 of his NFL career, but he's a player you can easily stuff on the practice squad and call up due to injuries if necessary. Medrano will be the designated special teams representative, with Nick Bellore opting for retirement. Using another roster spot for a second player at the same position is redundant.

You can't ever have too much depth at linebacker, and Magee can play a valuable role for the Commanders as a fresh-legged rotational piece.

If he is released, it would be nothing short of a shock.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow