Massive changes are coming to the Washington Commanders this offseason. Adam Peters took a calculated risk by running it back with the squad that reached the NFC Championship game in 2024. This didn't reap the required rewards, so a shift in approach is almost guaranteed.
The Commanders have to get younger. That's the consensus among fans, and it should not be going unnoticed by those in positions of power. That'll be difficult with so many pending free agents and several critical holes to fill, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
A changing of the guard is inevitable. And for one firmly established veteran, his time in Washington — and potentially the NFL — could be coming to an end.
Commanders should move on froom Bobby Wagner after the 2025 season
When the Commanders signed prolific linebacker Bobby Wagner in 2024 free agency, it was seen as a significant statement of intent. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer came as advertised, providing an assured presence on the field and an exceptional leadership figure in the locker room. He was among the primary catalysts behind Washington's cultural shift, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors along the way.
Wagner got a new one-year extension, and it was deserved. He remains a strong blitzer and capable in between the tackles, but age is slowly catching up to the second-level enforcer. And more concerning, he's been actively targeted by opposing offenses as a weak link.
The former Utah State standout has never been great in coverage. Teams are isolating him with alarming frequency this season, and it's been a frustrating flaw the Commanders have struggled with. Calls to reduce his reps down the stretch in favor of younger linebackers are growing louder among the fan base. Head coach Dan Quinn is a loyal guy, but he needs to recognize that Wagner is not the future.
Not anymore.
Father Time has finally caught up to Wagner. It took a while, which is a credit to the player's professionalism, exceptional habits, and outstanding longevity. But it's starting to look like his stint with the Commanders will conclude next spring.
What the future holds for Wagner after that is anyone's guess. He hasn't given any indication, one way or the other, about a potential retirement. But the last thing he should want is to be remembered as someone who held on for too long. He's a first ballot induction to Canton, and he owes the game absolutely nothing.
Nothing is confirmed, of course. But it would be a bombshell of epic proportions if Wagner got another contract to stay with the Commanders.