Sonny Styles’ breakout gave Commanders a glimpse of their next great linebacker

The Washington Commanders are starting to see what rookie linebacker Sonny Styles could potentially become. His Week 3 breakout against the Seattle Seahawks put the entire league on notice.

Styles was needed more than ever. The Commanders were without veteran Frankie Luvu, and Leo Chenal left the game on a cart after sustaining a fractured neck that will require season-ending surgery.

This meant the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft had to grow up quickly, and he answered the call.

Commanders rookie Sonny Styles is coming of age much sooner than expected

Simply put, he was everywhere.

Styles was the on-field general Washington needed, wearing the green dot to ensure everyone was in the right place at the right time. The Ohio State product also made a difference in all phases, disrupting the backfield, maintaining patient discipline against the run, and delivering exceptional coverage when the situation demanded it.

It was a complete performance from a budding superstar.

There was nothing Styles didn't do. He was an inspirational force on a defense that more than held its own against the Seahawks. There isn't much anybody can do to stop wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba entirely, but the Commanders fared better than most.

Styles was at the center of everything.

And if this is a sign of things to come, the Commanders have a perennial Pro Bowler or even better on their hands.

The unfair criticism Styles received for his very limited preseason involvement has been forgotten; not that it held much weight in any case. He looks every bit the player Washington envisaged when he joined the club. And considering he's only just beginning his NFL journey, the ceiling is through the roof.

Sonny Styles isn't yet satisfied despite electrifying Commanders start

Styles knows there is a lot of hard work ahead. He seemed dissatisfied during his post-game media availability, which was surprising but a testament to his elite-level mindset. He wants more. He wants to be the very best, and he believes there is much more to come once he gains even more experience.

That's a daunting prospect for the rest of the league.

But if Styles reaches his potential, he could become Washington's next great linebacker.

There is clearly more comfort. Styles has taken some harsh early lessons to heart, and he's a quick learner. He needed to be an alpha much sooner than expected. Luvu and Chenal were his security blankets, and they were gone. However, this turned out to be the making of him.

The athleticism is off the charts. The anticipation and coverage awareness are right where they need to be. You can see the rookie visibly growing in confidence, and the positional sense is improving.

More importantly, everyone is already looking toward him.

Whether for organizational or motivational reasons, Styles is the man coaches and players turn to when it's time to step up in a big moment. And he's delivering.

That might change to a certain extent when Luvu gets back. But this might also be the new trend in Washington for the next decade.

If any doubters remain about Styles, his exceptional Week 3 performance should silence them. He was instrumental in Washington's triumph, displaying maturity beyond his years and the big-game playmaking that became synonymous with his time in college.

The sky is the limit for Styles.

His Week 3 dominance was just the start.

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