Commanders' LB additions leave one young player with much to prove

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New defensive personnel, new defensive coordinator, new defensive scheme.

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As we approach the opening of the 2026 NFL training camps, that's how it is with the Washington Commanders defense. It was so bad in 2025 that general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn decided they needed to rebuild most of it again.

The 2025 Commanders defense under Joe Whitt couldn't generate pressure and gave up big play after big play. They also couldn't force turnovers or consistently stop the run. The new scheme is expected to be much different; why else would Dan Quinn have gotten rid of his longtime friend, Whitt?

In addition, with the drafting of linebacker Sonny Styles and signing Leo Chenal, what does this mean for 2024 draft pick Jordan Magee? Magee was highly regarded by Quinn and Whitt in his first two seasons, but his playing time has yielded mixed results. There are times Magee seems very average. There have been times Magee looks very athletic, a real prospect.

But with the new additions, Magee has dropped off the radar screen of many. But not Mitch Tischler from Monumental Sports. Tischler joined Kevin Sheehan on The Team 980 on Friday. He actually brought up Magee.

"Defensively, I've talked about this guy for a few years in a row now. Maybe at some point it's getting a little bit beyond, but I think Jordan Magee could be a really nice piece in the middle of this defense. I don't think he is going to be on the field for even 50 percent of the defensive snaps. But I do think he is the one kind of true traditional linebacker that you have on this roster in terms of size and downhill ability.

"I think Jordan Magee, when he was given an opportunity last year, showed enough of the sideline-to-sideline speed and enough of the football instinct where he can really be a nice run-stopping piece in the middle of that defense... Do I want to see him running with tight ends and running backs? Not as much. But on short-yardage downs, run downs, I really like the idea of Jordan Magee being in the middle of that defense. Being a monster that can blow up a blocker, get to the running back, get after the ball carrier."

No question, this is a huge year for the 2024 Commanders draft class, and if he is to make it, for Jordan Magee as well.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' LB additions leave one young player with much to prove

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