Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

ASHBURN, Va. — This week, Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award—the fourth nomination of his career and his second with Washington. Inside the Commanders’ locker room, the reaction was simple: no surprise. Wagner’s leadership is as present in the community as it is on the field.

RELATED: Commanders offense finally gets the ‘intended’ look they’ve waited all year for

Ask anyone in the Commanders locker room who embodies leadership, and Bobby Wagner’s name always rises to the top. The six-time All-Pro has long believed that his impact should extend well beyond football.

“I think it’s real important because you want to impact whatever city you go to on the field, but you want to leave your mark off the field too,” Wagner said.

This week, Wagner joined Commanders rookies for a holiday visit to Children’s National Hospital, an annual tradition that he says puts life into perspective.

“We have these things we think are problems,” he explained. “Then you go and see what these kids are dealing with — and they’re doing it with smiles and crazy energy. It makes you realize you should be grateful for where you’re at.”

Wagner’s work with Children’s National goes even deeper. He recently partnered with the hospital to launch the Phenía Mae Fund, named in honor of his late mother. The fund supports the hospital’s pediatric stroke program, a cause that holds personal meaning.

“Anything that has a tie to what she was going through is always near and dear to my heart,” Wagner shared.

Defensive end Jacob Martin, who played with Wagner as a rookie in Seattle, said Wagner’s leadership has followed him from team to team.

“Being able to have him in my phone years later and he’s still the same consistent guy — giving me knowledge, whether it’s off-the-field issues or ideas — that means a lot,” Martin said.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel echoed that sentiment, recalling how Wagner was a focal point even when preparing to play against him.

“Back in my San Fran days, we used to game plan against Bobby and not other guys,” Samuel said. “It shows you what type of player he is, and the mentor he is to younger guys in the locker room.”

Wagner returned to practice this week after nursing a knee injury and will play Sunday against the Vikings.

The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, just before Super Bowl LX.