NFL insider pulls back curtain on Frankie Luvu's potential Commanders role

Dan Quinn's arrival as Washington Commanders head coach means big improvements are expected on the defensive side of the football. His innovative schematic concepts and improved teaching methods have been a breath of fresh air so far this summer. Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s no-nonsense approach is also going down extremely well with this new-look squad.

New general manager Adam Peters did his part by significantly improving the personnel at Washington's disposal. Several fresh faces acquired through free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft have caught the eye impressively over the Commanders' preparations for the upcoming campaign. A respected insider highlighted one above all else who's making a bigger splash than even the brightest optimist envisaged.

Commanders could use Frankie Luvu in Micah Parsons-type role

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated lauded the impact made by ferocious linebacker Frankie Luvu in a relatively short space of time. After spending time with the Commanders at training camp, he believes the former undrafted free agent could be used in a similar way to how Quinn deployed Micah Parsons - albeit from the second level rather than the defensive front.

"The defensive acquisition that’s stood out is, for sure, Frankie Luvu. He’s not Micah Parsons, but [Dan] Quinn signed him with the idea that he could be a movable piece in the front seven the way Parsons was for him in Dallas, and Luvu looks capable as a player who’s quick, explosive, and clearly at his best moving toward the line of scrimmage."

- Albert Breer. Sports Illustrated

This is a lofty bar for which to aim. That said, there's nothing to suggest Luvu cannot continue his exceptional recent career momentum under Quinn and Whitt's expert guidance.

Luvu turned down an extension with the Carolina Panthers to see if he could excel within Quinn's defensive system. He's an absolute wrecking ball with the explosiveness and instincts to cause substantial problems to any offense. He's taking the responsibility of a decent contract extremely seriously, emerging quickly as an inspirational leader and a core foundational piece to any success that comes Washington's way.

Generating pressure is something the Commanders didn't accomplish effectively enough last season once they traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young. They cannot rely solely on their front four. That's why Luvu was a top priority in free agency.

He can do it all.

Having this versatile difference-maker go alongside an accomplished performer such as Bobby Wagner is going to transform Washington's linebacking corps. If Luvu can have even half the impact Parsons accomplished with Quinn leading the charge, this acquisition will be money well spent.

Luvu looks destined for greatness. It took time and a large amount of hard work to rise from an afterthought with the New York Jets to this point. He's kept the same urgency amid ongoing adulation, taking nothing for granted and setting the correct tone for others to follow. This is exactly what the Commanders lacked throughout their linebacker room during Ron Rivera's four years at the helm.

Hopes couldn't be much higher for Luvu. He'll be the glue that holds this defense together. The beating heart of what will hopefully become one of the NFL's most improved units if everyone stays free of major injury concerns.

That's a lot to ask. Fortunately, it's a challenge Luvu is already relishing.

More Commanders news and analysis