Bobby Wagner is ready to suit up for a 15th NFL season, and Dan Quinn sounds open to having the 10-time Pro Bowler continue with the Washington Commanders, but changes on the defensive side of the ball, coupled with Wagner's growing weakness in key areas, mean the Commanders need a new plan for the leader of their front seven.
Fortunately, Quinn and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones won't have to search high and low for a new plan if they choose to bring Wagner back ahead of 2026 NFL free agency. They can simply take a page from the last time the franchise won a Super Bowl.
Washington's awesome, but somehow seemingly always underrated, 1991 team had a labour share at the middle linebacker spot. One that informs how 35-year-old Wagner must be used moving forward.
Commanders could still use Bobby Wagner in a more niche role if he's re-signed
Essentially, legendary head coach Joe Gibbs and his in-house defensive guru Richie Petitbon used different players for different responsibilities. Kurt Gouveia manned the middle in base defense against balanced, pass-heavy offenses. Monte Coleman usually took to the field in nickel and other multiple-defensive back sets. Matt Millen was the thumper for short-yardage work and to repel run-heavy teams.
Millen's usage is the template for what Wagner's role should look like if he's still donning the Burgundy and Gold in 2026. The specialist's approach to the position in '91 can also unlock the upside of a younger, more athletic linebacker on the depth chart.
Limiting Wagner to run downs would reduce his workload to the things he still does well. Namely, play downhill, attack the A-gaps on either side of the center, and stuff rushing plays at the source.
Wagner can still do these things better than most middle linebackers in this league. The Commanders need those skills, particularly in the NFC East, where more than a few powerful running backs reside.
Facing Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles twice a year has been enough of a problem in the past. The Dallas Cowboys have already brought back 1,200-yard rusher Javonte Williams ahead of free agency, while the New York Giants could field a formidable thunder-and-lightning combination featuring a healthy Cam Skattebo and versatile speedster Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Being competitive again will mean winning in their own division, and that demands the Commanders get tougher against the run. Wagner can be a key figure, just like Millen was 35 years ago.
Putting Millen at the heart of the linebacker corps gave Washington an answer to the Giants and their brute-force ground attack. Millen also got the starting nod against the Chicago Bears, still leaning heavily on the run on Mike Ditka's watch.
Where Millen didn't feature was against wide-open pass-first teams. Like the run-and-shoot offenses Washington faced multiple times that season. Games against the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons were Gouveia and Coleman's time to shine, while Millen wasn't even active for Super Bowl XXVI against Jim Kelly and the K-Gun Buffalo Bills.
Quinn and Jones should make similarly selective use of Wagner. It's the best way to keep the aging great fresh and also hide his growing weakness in space.
Pass coverage can instead become the primary remit of a budding modern 'Mike' linebacker in the making.
Quinn hasn't been shy about talking up Jordan Magee's potential as the Commanders' next middle linebacker. It makes sense because the 225-pounder possesses greater sideline-to-sideline speed and more natural range than Wagner at this stage of their respective careers.
Magee needs more snaps to get comfortable in the middle. A smart way to start the plan would be to have Magee on the field in obvious passing situations, before allowing him to graduate to full-time work as a middle linebacker against pass-heavy teams.
When next season's schedule includes matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, there'll be ample opportunities for Magee to learn the ropes. His adaptation to the middle will go smoother if he can still rely on Wagner's experience, so bringing the latter back makes sense, but only if the Commanders initiate a role- and opponent-specific snap share between the two.