The Washington Commanders took the practice field in Ashburn on Wednesday, and it appears the defense is already turning heads.
Linebacker Frankie Luvu, coming off a strong first campaign in Washington, is seeing great things from some of the offseason additions thus far in training camp.
Luvu’s early praise for eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller is making noise — and it’s easy to see why.
“I studied him a lot my first two or three years when I was with Kevin Greene,” Luvu shared after Thursday’s practice. “He can bend around the corner, very lucid, because he moves like water.”
The Commanders signed Miller on July 21, after playing three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Entering his 14th year in the NFL, Miller has recorded 581 tackles, 129.5 sacks and 27 forced fumbles.
Luvu Following a Model
Luvu’s journey with Miller began long before they donned the same uniform. Back in the day, he watched tape room clips of Miller to find his own edge rush moves.
“I felt like our games were similar,” Luvu admitted. “Von was one of them.” Now they’re on the grass together, and Luvu can’t hide how much he’s already learning. He’s benchmarking his own play against Miller’s and taking notes on every bend, swim move, and burst.
“Just how he moves about his business,” Luvu said. “To have that in the building is very special.”
Head coach Dan Quinn wanted to have more veteran leadership on and off the field heading into camp. Luvu was the Commanders’ most consistent edge weapon last season. With Miller now in the mix, that edge gets sharper — and the knowledge gets deeper.
What’s Next For Commanders?
The season is still over a month away, but camps are where cultures take root.
That kind of hands-on learning doesn’t happen in meetings. It happens on the grass—and it’s why Quinn prioritized veteran support.
For Washington, the next phase of camp is all about building chemistry and refining roles. Miller won’t be on the field every day — Quinn already made it clear that managing his workload is a priority. But the time he is out there will matter, especially for guys like Luvu who are watching his every move.
Expect Luvu to continue expanding his pass-rush role. With Miller in the building, Washington can get creative — freeing Luvu to attack from different alignments and angles. He’s already shown flashes as the team’s most disruptive rusher last season. Now, he’s learning from a future Hall of Famer he once studied on film.
On the other side of the ball, all eyes stay locked on Jayden Daniels. The franchise QB keeps stacking solid reps and seems to be winning over the locker room. His poise, quick reads, and improved footwork haven’t gone unnoticed.
Position battles will also start tightening. The next 10 days will be critical. With preseason approaching, the coaching staff will shift from evaluation to implementation.
Depth chart decisions, personnel packages, and scheme installs all kick into gear.
And if Miller keeps moving “like water,” his presence could shape more than just one position group. The ripple effect might be felt across the entire defense.
