While speculation on one Carolina Panthers linebacker heated up on Monday, another was swiped away by an NFC East squad.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Washington Commanders are expected to sign Frankie Luvu. The deal will be a three-year pact worth a maximum of $36 million.
Luvu joined the Panthers in the spring of 2021. He appeared in 16 games that year—totaling 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
The versatile backer saw an increased role beginning in 2022 after inking a two-year extension the next offseason. That campaign saw Luvu rack up 111 tackles and a career-high 7.0 sacks over 14 starts.
Despite dealing with injuries for a chunk of 2023, Luvu started in all 17 games for the Panthers this past season. He notched bests in tackles (125) and passes defensed (five).
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan told reporters at this year’s scouting combine that the team was hoping to keep Luvu around.
“We have all intentions on re-signing Frankie,” Morgan said in Indianapolis. “We love Frankie. He embodies what a Panther is. He’s tough, he’s got that dawg mentality we talk about. Nothing’s guaranteed in this league, but we are gonna try to extend him.”
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
