Very few Washington Commanders players met expectations during the 2025 season. One of the most glaring disappointments was Frankie Luvu, who didn't come close to reaching the second-team All-Pro heights attained during his first season with the franchise.
There were mitigating circumstances attached. Luvu freely admitted it, and fans have known for some time.
When the Commanders suffered some critical injuries on the defensive edge, their plans changed. Concerns about their lack of pass-rushing quality were realized. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn scrambled for answers. One solution they implemented centered on using Luvu more on the edge. It didn't work.
It's clear that the Commanders changing Frankie Luvu's role made him uncomfortable
Luvu's influence was severely impacted. He was no longer being instinctive and explosive at the defensive second level. Although the linebacker is dynamic, he lacks the prototypical size to be a prolific pass-rushing force. And he got lost in the shuffle as Washington's defense capitulated.
The former Washington State standout admitted to Scott Abraham from 7News DC that he might not have been comfortable with playing so much on the edge. Luvu was willing to do whatever it took to help the team, but it's evident he would rather have avoided it.
"I got put in situations where guys were down and I had to play a role where I might be comfortable, I might not. At the end of the day, I'm here to play ball...for the most part I'm happy where I was at."Frankie Luvu via 7News DC
I asked Commanders LB Frankie Luvu to assess his season.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 5, 2026
Frankie said, "I got put in situations where guys were down and I had to play a role where I might be comfortable, I might not. At the end of the day, I'm here to play ball...for the most part I'm happy where I was at." pic.twitter.com/f2pUCx8XW8
The Commanders didn't have much of a choice, in all honesty.
Deatrich Wise Jr. and Dorance Armstrong Jr. went to the injured reserve list. Jacob Martin and Von Miller were solid enough, but something was missing. Quinn thought Luvu could provide the dynamism that was sorely lacking. What he failed to grasp was how much he'd be missed as a sideline-to-sideline enforcer.
That will change this offseason. Peters has already stated that the Commanders plan to prioritize their pass rush. Hopefully, that means Luvu moving back to an off-ball linebacker, especially with Bobby Wagner potentially leaving or retiring. And with the player embarking on the final year of his deal in Washington, the stakes couldn't be much higher.
Luvu proved last season, and his two years before that with the Carolina Panthers, just what a dominant player he can be if utilized correctly. The Commanders were forced to pivot amid arguably the worst injury crisis anywhere in the league. It made him uncomfortable, so this is not sustainable moving forward.
Anything less, and Luvu may not even want a new deal next year.