Feb. 2, 2026, 7:05 a.m. ET
Who is going to be the Washington Commanders‘ starting middle linebacker in 2026?
Rising third-year linebacker Jordan Magee, from Temple University, was interviewed very briefly recently by Ben Standig, and Standig played the interview this past week on his podcast.
Where Jordan Magee started only one game in 2024, he showed improvement and was more healthy, starting eight games in 2025. Where in 2024 Magee was in on nine tackles, this past season, he was in on 54 tackles, three of which were for a loss. “I thought there was a lot of growth for me as a player,” expressed Magee. “As I got out on the field more, I got more comfortable.”
Going from his first year to his second, can be a time where your knowledge has increased, one can be much more relaxed, not tight mentally in games. Consequently, not pressing to think, one finds they can react much more freely and quickly. “I wanted to work on getting off of blocks better. Working on my tackling, my tracking ability. For me, I want to play lower, for better leverage. So I work on my knee bend, trying to stay low while moving.”
Bobby Wagner has been a great teacher and teammate. Wagner is known to be quite the leader in the classroom, in the film room, and on the field. Wagner reached a milestone the final game of the 2025 season when he recorded his career tackle No. 2000. The Commanders have a major decision to make regarding Wagner. He was clearly still a great run defender in between the tackles, but has lost a step or two in going sideline to sideline and in pass coverage.
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But for Magee, it is still all about respect for Wagner on and off the football field. “I appreciate him for everything that he has helped me with. I will probably go to his graduation in May (MBA from Howard U). You always got to show love and gratitude to somebody who accomplished that type of thing.”
As for this 2026 offseason, what are the plans for Magee? Well, he will certainly be lifting and working out. He wants to keep his job in the NFL, entering his third season with the Commanders. But he also has a special trip that he wants to make this offseason.
Magee said he wanted to go to Tokyo last year, but an injury needed rehab, so he did the work instead. He said he and his girlfriend plan to go this offseason to see what life and the culture are like in a major city in Japan.