The Washington Commanders badly needed speed at linebacker last offseason. While Bobby Wagner is a future first-ball Pro Football Hall of Famer, his lack of speed in his 14th NFL season in 2025 was glaring. Opposing teams relentlessly targeted Wagner in coverage.
Washington general manager Adam Peters made getting “younger and faster” a priority. No one player made the Commanders’ defense more younger or faster than linebacker Sonny Styles. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Styles was viewed as the NFL’s new linebacker prototype. At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Styles, a former safety, runs like a wide receiver, hits like a linebacker and covers like a defensive back.
Through the first five games of his NFL career, Styles has certainly not disappointed. In Washington's Week 3 upset win over Seattle, Styles named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Styles will play in prime time for the first time in his NFL career on Monday night, as the Commanders face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. Washington's assignment is one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, led by head coach Kyle Shanahan and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
Styles has Kubiak's attention.
“Big time," when Kubiak was asked if Styles stands out to him. "He’s already a heck of a player. The athleticism is what jumps out. The length for his size, his speed, his athleticism playing that inside linebacker role. He can kind of do it all. He can rush, he can blitz, he can cover. He’s long. He’s going to get his hands on balls. So the guy’s a heck of a player. He’s going to be a bright player."
Kubiak then offered Styles the ultimate compliment, comparing him to San Francisco's four-time All-Pro inside linebacker Fred Warner.
"Reminds me a little bit of Fred in that way, just the athleticism, the range. He’s a good player and they got two really good linebackers with [Washington Commanders LB Frankie] Luvu in there too. So definitely got our work cut out for us keeping our eye on those guys this week.”
For years, Washington fans wanted their version of Fred Warner. In Styles, they got him. While Styles still has some work to do to catch Warner, he appears well on his way.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 49ers OC Klay Kubiak compares Commanders' Sonny Styles to 4-time All-Pro LB