Commanders entering dangerous unknown as Bobby Wagner void looms large

The Washington Commanders' roster already looks a lot different from last season, and we haven't even had the NFL Draft yet. Particularly, the defensive side of the ball has been dramatically overhauled.

At least five players — edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross, and cornerback Amik Robertson — were added who are projected to start under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Some major 2025 pieces, most notably the legendary Bobby Wagner, are unlikely to return.

The shakeup also raises a difficult question. Who will be the on-field leader of the Commanders' revamped unit?

With Bobby Wagner out, who will wear the 'green dot' for the Commanders' defense?

Commanders insider Ben Standig appeared on 106.7 The Fan to ask a question that must be addressed at some point. The 'green dot' is assigned to a player, typically a linebacker or safety, who relays the coordinator's instructions to the rest of the defense.

For the past two years, Wagner was that designated player. But now? It's anyone's guess.

Standig says that whoever the player is will tell us a lot about how the Commanders plan to implement Jones' defense. If it's a linebacker, such as Jordan Magee or Frankie Luvu, then it could indicate Washington will run a 4-3 scheme. But if it's one of the team's safeties, it could signal the team will use more 3-4 sets.

There are plenty of candidates who could wear the green dot. Luvu seems like a conventional choice, marking an easy transition from one veteran linebacker to another. If the Commanders are serious about having Magee take over everything Wagner's job entailed, then he could be the guy. Or it could also be Chenal, a versatile new addition who figures to play a Swiss army knife-like role for Washington.

If one had to guess, Luvu feels the most likely. The green dot's wearer should be a player willing to take on a major leadership role, who can communicate with his teammates on the field as the quarterback of the defense, so to speak. That sums up Washington's feared enforcer in a nutshell.

Whatever the case, somebody is going to need to step up.

Wagner's play may have markedly declined this past season, but his value beyond the box score won't be easy to replace. The Commanders will need to hope his successor is up to the task, and it may even be a committee approach depending on the defensive alignment.