Linebacker Frankie Luvu. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders praised for 'building block' free-agent signing

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 3/21/24

A new day is dawning for the Washington Commanders.

After entering the offseason with the most cap space in the NFL, new general manager Adam Peters has significantly bolstered the talent on both sides of the ball, especially adding veteran leadership to a defense set to be led by new head coach Dan Quinn.

CBS Sports lists the Washington Commanders signing linebacker Frankie Luvu as one of the top 10 most impactful moves made during the early stages of NFL free agency.

“Bobby Wagner is the bigger name joining new coach Dan Quinn’s defense in Washington,” Cody Benjamin writes for CBS Sports . “But, Luvu has the makeup of a real building block. The former Carolina Panthers standout is going on 28 but appears to be just entering his prime, emerging as a fast, physical, downhill pocket disruptor. He’s got the potential to be a tone-setter for a franchise in transition.”

Luvu was one of the more coveted linebackers in free agency, before signing a three-year contract worth $36 million to become a focal point of the Washington Commanders’ new-look defense.

The 27-year-old cashes in following a breakout 2023 season in which he produced a career-high 125 total tackles with 5.5 sacks while emerging as one of the Panthers’ most respected leadership voices.

As Pro Football Focus points out, Luvu also added 47 run-stops in addition to being a pass-rushing menace. The outlet gives Luvu an elite 90.1 pass-rushing grade for the 2023 campaign.

In the heart of Quinn’s defense, alongside Wagner, Luvu gives the Washington Commanders a violent downhill defender and significantly boosts the leadership of a revamped front seven.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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