The NFL Season is upon us and your Tampa Bay Buccaneers open up the season at home against the Washington Commanders. A team that went through a plethora of changes this offseason. An overhaul of their coaching staff was the significant change, but key roster changes will prove to impact this team’s long-term success.
Since appointing Dan Quinn as head coach, this Commanders front office took action in improving this roster. Drafting a QB second-overall in the NFL draft will draw all eyes onto the offense, but the turnover this Washington defense went under was thorough.
Future Hall of Famer Added Through Free Agency
With the addition of a defensive head coach, the Washington Commanders made a splash by signing veteran LB Bobby Wagner. The 2014 Super Bowl champion is on the back-end of his career, but is set to be the head of this defense and establish a culture under the new coaching regime.
“-and then Bobby Wagner is a legend.” Buccaneers’ QB Baker Mayfield told the media Wednesday. “He’s a seasoned vet. He’s seen every type of scheme. You can tell, just his recognition of plays. People can talk about his age but I’m pretty sure he led the league in tackles last year, so I don’t think he’s really lost a step.”
Leading the NFL in tackles in a contract year will only warrant a 1-year, $8.5 million deal in 2024. After he totaled 183 total tackles in 2023, the Commanders took Wagner in with open arms and are now expecting him to lead this defense from day one.
Commanders Made Under-The-Radar Moves To Move The Needle
Outside linebacker Frankie Luvu has been a high-energy player in Carolina for six seasons. He signed a three-year deal with Washington this spring that would find him starring on a defensive unit with potential.
Luvu tallied 5.5 sacks last season on 69 tackles and looks to mesh with the already solid pass-rushing group. Daron Payne and Johnathan Allen are focal points of this defense, similar to that of the interior duo in Tampa, and will once again look to be a force that is a huge impact for their outside pass-rushers.
The Commanders' already solid defensive line added three more starting players to their line-up. Signing OLB Dante Fowler Jr and DE’s Clelin Ferril & Dorance Armstrong in one offseason is an accomplishment, that’s without mentioning the LB’s and other changes. This trio oozes experience and surely HC Dan Quinn has high expectations out of the gate from this group.
Not too much has changed on the back-end of this defense. Except for former Panthers saftey Jeremy Chinn being signed early in the offseason. He should be able to play a number of roles with his versatile style of play, coming into the box when needed or dropping back for above-average coverage. Cornerback’s Benjamin St-Juste and former top-pick Emmanuel Forbes are set to line up outside at cornerback after much criticism from fans and coaches in 2023. With the defensive line improvements and addition of Chinn, it seems this coaching staff has confidence this DB room can improve.
One look at the depth chart and you’ll find some familiar names on this Washington Commanders defense. Many Bucs’ fans are excited to see newly re-signed Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield have a great season opener. But don’t be surprised if this Commanders defense gets into the backfield often in the season opener.
The NFL Season is upon us and your Tampa Bay Buccaneers open up the season at home against the Washington Commanders. A team that went through a plethora of changes this offseason. An overhaul of their coaching staff was the significant change, but key roster changes will prove to impact this team’s long-term success.
Since appointing Dan Quinn as head coach, this Commanders front office took action in improving this roster. Drafting a QB second-overall in the NFL draft will draw all eyes onto the offense, but the turnover this Washington defense went under was thorough.
Future Hall of Famer Added Through Free Agency
With the addition of a defensive head coach, the Washington Commanders made a splash by signing veteran LB Bobby Wagner. The 2014 Super Bowl champion is on the back-end of his career, but is set to be the head of this defense and establish a culture under the new coaching regime.
“-and then Bobby Wagner is a legend.” Buccaneers’ QB Baker Mayfield told the media Wednesday. “He’s a seasoned vet. He’s seen every type of scheme. You can tell, just his recognition of plays. People can talk about his age but I’m pretty sure he led the league in tackles last year, so I don’t think he’s really lost a step.”
Leading the NFL in tackles in a contract year will only warrant a 1-year, $8.5 million deal in 2024. After he totaled 183 total tackles in 2023, the Commanders took Wagner in with open arms and are now expecting him to lead this defense from day one.
Commanders Made Under-The-Radar Moves To Move The Needle
Outside linebacker Frankie Luvu has been a high-energy player in Carolina for six seasons. He signed a three-year deal with Washington this spring that would find him starring on a defensive unit with potential.
Luvu tallied 5.5 sacks last season on 69 tackles and looks to mesh with the already solid pass-rushing group. Daron Payne and Johnathan Allen are focal points of this defense, similar to that of the interior duo in Tampa, and will once again look to be a force that is a huge impact for their outside pass-rushers.
The Commanders' already solid defensive line added three more starting players to their line-up. Signing OLB Dante Fowler Jr and DE’s Clelin Ferril & Dorance Armstrong in one offseason is an accomplishment, that’s without mentioning the LB’s and other changes. This trio oozes experience and surely HC Dan Quinn has high expectations out of the gate from this group.
Not too much has changed on the back-end of this defense. Except for former Panthers saftey Jeremy Chinn being signed early in the offseason. He should be able to play a number of roles with his versatile style of play, coming into the box when needed or dropping back for above-average coverage. Cornerback’s Benjamin St-Juste and former top-pick Emmanuel Forbes are set to line up outside at cornerback after much criticism from fans and coaches in 2023. With the defensive line improvements and addition of Chinn, it seems this coaching staff has confidence this DB room can improve.
One look at the depth chart and you’ll find some familiar names on this Washington Commanders defense. Many Bucs’ fans are excited to see newly re-signed Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield have a great season opener. But don’t be surprised if this Commanders defense gets into the backfield often in the season opener.
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