Story perspectives

Commanders Sign Rookie LB Sonny Styles, Coach Hails Potential

5/9/2026

Summary

Sonny Styles Debuts

The Washington Commanders signed rookie linebacker Sonny Styles on May 8 2026 and he practiced for the first time.
He wore jersey No. 52, stands 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, and chased Kaytron Allen on the third play.
Head coach Dan Quinn said there are “no limits” on Styles.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will teach Styles fundamentals and inside-spot nuances.
Former NFL star Dez Bryant praised Styles’ speed.

Summary

Lorenzo Styles Wins

Lorenzo Styles, Ohio State linebacker, played in the NFL and won a Super Bowl.
He appeared in 53 games, posted 244 tackles, nine sacks and earned First-Team All-American honors in 2025 and Second-Team in 2024.
Styles contributed to the Buckeyes’ 2024 Football National Championship.
He selected jersey number 52 to honor linebackers Patrick Willis and Ray Lewis, noting 5 + 2 matches his seventh draft slot after seeing legends on the wall.

Summary

Sonny Styles Signs

Sonny Styles signed a rookie contract worth $37.2 million fully guaranteed and a $23.5 million signing bonus.
Antonio Williams and Joshua Josephs each signed four-year deals worth $7.3 million and $4.9 million respectively, with signing bonuses of $1.7 million and $535,000.
Kaytron Allen and Matt Gulbin each signed four-year contracts worth $4.6 million.
All six draft picks reported to Washington’s training complex for a two-day rookie minicamp with nine undrafted free agents and other tryout players.

History

Historical Context

After the 2011 lockout ended, the new CBA introduced a rookie wage scale that capped total rookie compensation at $874 million and gave first-round picks four-year contracts with a fifth-year option. That framework under Commissioner Roger Goodell now guides the Washington Commanders’ 2026 rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, who signed a fully guaranteed $37.2 million deal.

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Sonny Styles Debuts

The Washington Commanders signed rookie linebacker Sonny Styles on May 8 2026 and he practiced for the first time.
He wore jersey No. 52, stands 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, and chased Kaytron Allen on the third play.
Head coach Dan Quinn said there are “no limits” on Styles.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will teach Styles fundamentals and inside-spot nuances.
Former NFL star Dez Bryant praised Styles’ speed.

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