3 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders 2024 training camp Week 2
By Dean Jones
Winner No. 3
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
The Washington Commanders invested heavily in their linebacking corps this offseason. Just why previous head coach Ron Rivera ignored a position he played himself will remain a mystery. This mistake was something new general manager Adam Peters was looking to avoid.
Bobby Wagner brings prestige and Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials to the table. That'll be a huge positive both on and off the field, especially considering the Commanders also secured the services of Frankie Luvu in free agency.
Luvu comes into the franchise on the back of three exceptional seasons with the Carolina Panthers after rising from obscurity to win a starting job. He's explosive and brings an energy that Washington's defensive second level sorely lacked last season. His partnership with Wagner comes with untold potential attached in pursuit of improvements under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. in 2024.
The former undrafted free agent out of Washington State turned down an extension from the Panthers to link up with Quinn. Luvu believes this is the scheme that can help him into the upper echelons of players at the position. Based on his production over the second week of training camp, it seems this could be a mutually beneficial relationship.
To say Luvu's come alive during padded practices would be an understatement. His speed to the contact point and rushing the passer have stood out considerably. There's a fun-loving ferocity to his on-field demeanor that players are gravitating towards. That's exactly what the Commanders had in mind when they identified him as a high-priority target when the legal tampering period got underway.
Luvu quickly emerged as an integral part of Washington's defensive plans for next season. Coaches and players alike have been gushing in their praise of the linebacker. He's become a fan favorite in double-quick time, so it would be a major disappointment if the player didn't build on this positive momentum.
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