Frankie Luvu agrees to three-year deal with Washington Commanders

Following three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, linebacker Frankie Luvu will sport new threads next season. With NFL insider Adam Schefter reporting Monday that Luvu has agreed to a three-year deal with the Washington Commanders ahead of free agency.

According to Schefter the deal has a maximum value of $36 million and has been confirmed by Luvu’s agent Blake Baratz of Team IFA.

Luvu carved out his own path in the NFL after being signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State following the 2018 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Jets, Luvu appeared in 39 games and made just four starts where he recorded 59 tackles, 6.0 sacks, and a safety.

In March of 2021 Luvu signed with the Panthers as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor, then slowly but surely he proved his worth as a starter. Luvu signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers following the 2021 season after ending the year with 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt in his 16 game appearance and four starts.

For the past two seasons Luvu has been a perennial starter for the Panthers, ending the 2022 season with 111 tackles and last year with a team-leading 125 tackles. Also adding 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, nine defended passes, and an interception returned for a touchdown to his stat line during his impressive two-year stretch.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline comes the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.