The Washington Commanders paid outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to deliver steady pressure, but his two sacks through five games have put that investment under an early spotlight. Oweh did not record a tackle, sack, forced fumble or fumble recovery in the 27-27 Week 5 tie with the New York Giants, a quiet outing that sharpened concerns about his start.
Locked On Commanders host Ben Robertson focused on the disconnect between Oweh’s contract and his production. Washington agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal with Oweh in March, making him the club’s largest investment of the offseason. Robertson argued that a six- or seven-sack pace would not justify that price, particularly after Oweh’s blank stat line against New York.
The full season line still includes 11 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Oweh made his most impactful play in the Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, recording a sack and forcing a fumble. The Commanders need that kind of disruption more often from a front that has allowed 30.5 points per game through five weeks.
Robertson said the central question is whether Oweh’s late 2025 surge was sustainable. Oweh posted 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Los Angeles Chargers after his trade from the Baltimore Ravens, but he had only one double-digit sack season across his first five NFL campaigns. Robertson noted that Oweh missed most of training camp, while stressing that the slow start cannot become a season-long pattern.
Oweh gets a high-profile chance to change that conversation Monday night, when Washington visits the San Francisco 49ers. The Commanders also need a cleaner finish after quarterback Jayden Daniels held the ball as overtime expired against the Giants, eliminating a chance to attempt the game-winning field goal.
Washington Commanders Essentials
- 5 Best Washington Quarterbacks of All Time
- 5 Best Washington Running Backs of All Time
- 5 Best Washington Wide Receivers of All Time
- NFL’s Richest Owners: Where Does Josh Harris Rank?
Some or all of this content may have been generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, AI can occasionally produce incorrect information. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
