Last season, Adam Peters appeared to have secured a hidden gem in Frankie Luvu when he signed the former Panther, who delivered impressive stats, including 99 total tackles, 54 solo tackles, 8 sacks, and 29 pressures, ranking him among the top linebackers in the league. Luvu’s dynamic play was a significant asset to the Washington Commanders’ defense in 2024, showcasing his ability to disrupt offenses and make impactful plays.
However, as the 2025 season reaches its midpoint, Luvu’s performance has experienced a notable decline. Once a second-team All-Pro, he now finds himself largely ineffective, with his tackle count still respectable but his quality of play faltering. The exciting splash plays have diminished, leaving behind frustrating misses and less impact in the running game.
A key factor in Luvu’s struggles seems to revolve around his role on the team. In the previous season, he thrived by being utilized as a hybrid linebacker-edge rusher, which allowed him to exploit gaps in the offense effectively. Unfortunately, this year, Joe Whitt has opted to deploy him primarily in a traditional stacked alignment role. This shift has required Luvu to operate in more space and to adopt a more disciplined playing style, robbing him of the instinctive approach that once defined his game.
For instance, during a recent play against the Bears, Luvu found himself outmatched by larger offensive linemen, unable to shed blocks effectively, leading to unfortunate gaps in perimeter defense. His tackling has also become a significant issue; with a missed tackle rate of 19.4%, it mirrors the struggles he faced earlier in his career. In contrast, last season, Luvu recorded an impressive rate of just 5.4%.
Additionally, his adaptation to an edge role has produced disappointing results. After the Commanders faced injuries to key players in the defensive lineup, Luvu saw more time on the edge, yet yielded minimal production in pass-rushing situations. His one pressure on 52 edge rushes highlights this concern, showcasing a significant drop in effectiveness compared to his 14% pressure rate last season.
Looking ahead, some may argue that reverting Luvu to a more familiar role could enhance his performance. However, this presents challenges; the Commanders’ defensive structure requires a blend of versatility that a traditional role may not provide. With Luvu’s cap hit being substantial—$11.3 million—releasing him would offer minimal cap savings, making it a complex decision for the coaching staff.
To maximize Luvu’s potential, finding a defensive coordinator who can leverage his skills creatively is essential. Maintaining a balance in utilizing Luvu’s explosive nature while surrounding him with supportive athletic talent could be the key to unlocking his capabilities. By positioning him closer to the line of scrimmage and incorporating more designed blitzes, there remains hope that Luvu can revert to the impactful player he was in 2024, rather than continuing the downward trajectory observed this season.