5 steps the Commanders can take to potential NFC East title in 2024

Commanders invest in free-agent LBs

Other than quarterback and offensive line, the obvious weakness on the roster for the last several seasons has been in the linebacker room. It has been atrocious. The best Washington Commanders linebacker in recent history - Cole Holcomb - departed in free agency for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jamin Davis has shown some improvement, and under new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. he will hopefully show more. As of now, he cannot be labeled anything other than a Ron Rivera bust.

The highest-rated free agent linebacker according to ESPN is Patrick Queen. And while the Baltimore Ravens enforcer has room for growth, he would improve the linebacker room tremendously.

Good in both the run game and dropping into coverage, Queen finished the season with 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 18 pressures, one interception, and six passes defended. He's gonna get a ton of money from his current employers or elsewhere in free agency.

With Kamren Curl's future in doubt, the Commanders' defense could be losing their utility belt. They might lean into this by bringing in free agent linebacker Lavonte David, who had a bit of a down year, but has had a highly productive career up to that point and could be potentially gotten at a bargain.

He is 34 years old, which would mean a short contract as a placeholder. This gives the Commanders time to develop younger talent while learning from a very valid mentor.