Commanders Sign LB Mykal Walker in Free Agency: What's He Bring to Washington?

In an offseason littered with change, linebacker Mykal Walker brings another seasoned voice to the middle of the Washington Commanders' defense.

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker (38) warms up before playing the Buffalo Bills. / Kirby Leei-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders have made a barrage of signings this free agency period - so much that defensive tackle Daron Payne told reporters Wednesday that when he first walked into the locker room, it felt entirely new.

And Washington, even as free agency reaches its second wave, is still adding.

The Commanders signed linebacker Mykal Walker on Tuesday, the team announced via X, formerly known as Twitter. No contract details were provided.

Walker, who stands 6-3, 230 pounds, spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, playing in 49 games with 20 starts. He started 12 of 16 games for the Falcons in 2022, his last in Atlanta.

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker (38) warms up before playing the Buffalo Bills. / Kirby Leei-USA TODAY Sports

The 26-year-old Walker was released prior to the start of the 2023 season, and he ultimately caught on with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing in eight games with five starts. He made 33 tackles, two tackles for loss and deflected a pair of passes.

Then-Falcons head coach Arthur Smith didn't specify the reason for Walker's release.

"We love everything Myke did, just like we do with so many guys that have come in here," Smith said Aug. 15. "We’ve made a lot of transactions, some out of necessity, it’s just the way the league is now. Some of it is things we couldn’t control. That’s not the case with this particular one but we are appreciative of everything he did. We wish Myke well."

Atlanta changed defensive coordinators - and, subsequently, schemes - from 2022 to 2023, going from Dean Pees to Ryan Nielsen. Pees ran a 3-4 scheme while Nielsen's was primarily 4-3. Smith didn't delve into schematics when discussing Walker's release.

Across his four-year professional career, Walker has struggled in pass coverage. According to Pro Football Reference, he's been targeted 109 times and allowed 87 receptions for 861 yards and five touchdowns, four of which came this past season.

Walker generated praise for his ability as a communicator and began the 2022 season with the green dot on his helmet, signifying his status as the defensive signal caller.

"Mentally, Mykal Walker is top shelf, Pees said during training camp in 2022. "He really is smart, football smart, understands, communicates. I have no qualms whatsoever about him understanding this defense."

In Washington, Walker joins a pair of key free agency linebacker acquisitions in Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, while Jamin Davis returns to the middle of the defense under new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Walker once appeared poised for a multi-year run as a starter in Atlanta. That was cut short, and he's now left looking to jumpstart his career - and Washington may just be the place to do it.