If you were to say the Washington Commanders improved one position the most this offseason, what position would that be? Two positions come to mind: edge rusher and linebacker.
The Commanders open training camp next week. The rookies reported on Friday. That means first-round linebacker Sonny Styles is already in Ashburn, waiting for the veterans to arrive early next week.
Speaking of Styles, he was a major part of Washington’s offseason efforts to become “younger and faster” on defense. The All-American from Ohio State should be an immediate starter for the Commanders in 2026. In a matter of months, Washington goes from having one of the slowest linebacker corps in the NFL to arguably the fastest with the additions of Styles and Leo Chenal.
Losing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner is tough for multiple reasons. But Wagner’s lack of speed couldn’t make up for everything else he brought to the table.
As we continue with our positional previews, let’s look at Washington’s linebackers ahead of training camp.
On the roster
- Nick Bellore
- Leo Chenal
- Ale Kaho
- Frankie Luvu
- Jordan Magee
- Kain Medrano
- Sonny Styles
Styles, Magee, Kaho and Medrano are all entering their third year or less. Magee was a 2024 draft pick, while Kaho and Medrano were rookies last season. Chenal was signed to a three-year deal this offseason.
Roster locks
- Nick Bellore
- Leo Chenal
- Frankie Luvu
- Sonny Styles
We think Magee is close to being a lock. Washington loves him, and he gained valuable experience last season, but it can’t be ignored that the Commanders signed Chenal and drafted Styles, so they weren’t 100% sold that Magee was ready to be a starter. Bellore is listed as a linebacker, but he strictly plays special teams. And he’s a Pro Bowl special teams player. That’s why he is a lock. Kaho and Medrano will battle to make the 53. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones specifically mentioned Medrano in his first press conference. Medrano is fast and is still learning the position.
Training camp battle to watch
- Who will be the fifth linebacker?
We say fifth because Bellore will be on the roster, but whoever wins this job will be the fourth linebacker. Magee will battle Medrano and Kaho for a spot on the 53. The Commanders could keep six linebackers, and if they do, this likely turns into a battle of Medrano vs. Kaho. Regardless, Washington would try to bring the linebackers who miss the 53-man roster back to the practice squad. Again, we believe Magee is completely safe, but there’s always a chance. Training camp and the preseason are huge opportunities for roster hopefuls. Kaho won a spot last summer.
One burning question
- Who will wear the green dot?
We know Washington has given Luvu and Styles opportunities in the offseason. Chenal could factor in here, too. Jones said last month that this wasn’t a decision that needed to be made until closer to Week 1. Make no mistake, he’d like to know and be comfortable with that decision now, so the player could be comfortable and grow into the role throughout training camp.
Ultimately, this position will eventually belong to Styles. That’s the type of player he is. The Commanders won’t rush him into the role, but he’s such an intelligent player that he may be ready now. In a perfect world, NFL teams do not want to put too much on rookies, wanting them to get comfortable with the speed of the game before adding more responsibilities. Styles is ready for it all.
Outlook
Edge rusher is a more impactful position; therefore, it probably wins as Washington’s top positional upgrade. However, the speed Styles and Chenal will bring could transform the Commanders’ defense. Even more, having Luvu play more downhill as he did in 2024 could lead to a bounce-back season in 2026. When everyone talks about the linebackers, don’t forget about Luvu. He could be the biggest beneficiary of all of Washington’s offseason moves. This unit is already looking like a team strength for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders 2026 training camp preview: Linebacker
