Commanders Signed LB Bobby Wagner Using 'Leadership, Mentorship, and Fun'

The Washington Commanders are relying on linebacker Bobby Wagner to help usher in a new era of football in the DMV.

We knew there would be new faces the next time we saw the Washington Commanders take the field.

And to a certain extent, we even knew a large portion of the Commanders team would be moved out in one way or another to make room for new members.

But I don't think we had a true grasp of how different Washington is going to look in 2024 with general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn - often referred to as 'DQ' by players and those who know him - at the controls.

At least not until this week with more than a dozen new players signed to the Commanders roster for 2024.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) celebrates in the second quarter against Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

One of those, All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, comes over from the Seattle Seahawks where he has a personal connection with coach Quinn and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr..

"I think there were a couple of factors," Wagner said about his decision to come to Washington. "I think DQ and Norton were kind of the big things to come and do this.

"I just remember a lot of the great times obviously, but the leadership, mentorship, the fun that we had, that was kind of the biggest things."

A lot of that fun was rooted in winning. Something Peters, Quinn, and Norton Jr. are looking to bring over from the West Coast where each enjoyed a good amount of it during their times in the NFC West Division.

While Peters doesn't have a direct work history with Wagner, he's certainly seen enough of him as a rival of his previous employer - the San Francisco 49ers - to know he's getting a difference-maker on and off the field.

The mold that Wagner fits best, is the one Quinn and Norton Jr. are bringing with them from Seattle, even if they took detours to learn even more tricks of the trade along the way.

OFFICIAL: Commanders Sign Wagner to 'Set The Tone' for Quinn's Defense

"I think DQ does an amazing job of just putting all the players in the right positions and getting the best out of everybody," said Wagner. "And then Nort (is) one of my favorite coaches of all time, so that was enough for me."

If it's enough for Wagner, it's enough for us. And it has most Commanders fans checking off the days until they get to see their new linebacker and coaching staff in action for the first time because it will truly be seeing this Washington team for the first time.