In the NFL’s history, a few positions have traditionally become icons of NFL franchises. Offensively, the iconic players in the NFL tend to be great quarterbacks like Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and many more. Defensively, inside linebacker tends to produced the most iconic players in NFL history with historic greats like Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis, and Junior Seau. Each generation of NFL fans has iconic linebackers that they associate with elite playmaking ability and otherworldly toughness. In 2025, 10 linebackers have the potential to become the next generation of iconic defensive players.
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
The gold standard for linebacker play in the NFL is San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Fred Warner. During 4 of the last five seasons, Warner has earned AP All-Pro honors, and the 49ers have decided to grant Warner a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL for the 2nd time in his career, totaling $63 million for the next three seasons. In 2024, Warner recorded 76 solo tackles, 55 assists, seven pass deflections, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and a quarterback sack. While many players would view Warner’s 2024 season as a career year, for the 49ers linebacker, it represented a dip in production compared to his outstanding 2023 season.
2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are no strangers when it comes to ionic linebackers. Ray Lewis took the Ravens from a team that used to be the Cleveland Browns to an identity of greatness with two Super Bowl victories. In recent seasons, the Ravens have been working to regain Super Bowl champion status, and it is not surprising to know that their defense features an exceptional linebacker, Roquan Smith. Similar to Warner, Smith received AP All-Pro honors the last three seasons. In 2024, Smith registered 81 solo tackles, 74 assists, 1.5 quarterback sacks, and four pass deflections. Smith’s 2024 production was nearly identical to 2023, where Smith recorded 84 solo tackles, 73 assists, 1.5 quarterback sacks, and deflected eight passes.
3. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Another great linebacker coming into the 2025 season resides in New Orleans and leads the Saints’ defense. In 2019, Davis received AP All-Pro honors, but since then, he has received 2nd team All-Pro honors consistently. In 2024, Davis posted 69 solo tackles, 67 assists, two quarterback sacks, and seven pass deflections. Like Warner and Smith, consistency is a defining feature of Davis’s production. When comparing his 2024 stats to his 2023 stats, he recorded 74 solo tackles, 47 assists, four pass deflections, and 6.5 quarterback sacks.
4. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Consistent production throughout several seasons is another measure of greatness at the linebacker position. Tampa Bay’s linebacker Lavonte David has carved out an outstanding career since being drafted in 2012. 2013 David received AP All-Pro honors, but despite the lack of critical acclaim, the Buccaneer’s linebacker has impacted defensively. During the 2024 season, David recorded 76 solo tackles, 46 assists, 5.5 quarterback sacks, and six pass deflections. In the 2025 season, David should have another solid season leading the Buccaneers’ defense as long as he can stay healthy.
5. Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers
Before Roquan Smith became the Ravens’ next great linebacker, Patrick Queen stepped in as the heir apparent to Ray Lewis. Queen’s career took a different turn when the Ravens acquired Smith, and Patrick Queen played for the Ravens’ biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. During Queen’s last season with the Ravens in 2023, he recorded 84 solo tackles, 49 assists, 3.5 quarterback sacks, and six pass deflections. In 2024, Queen experienced a drop in production when he joined the Steelers defense, registering 65 solo tackles, 64 assists, 1.0 quarterback sack, and deflected seven passes.
6. Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner is another linebacker who has developed a legacy of consistent performance in the NFL. For the majority of Wagner’s career, Wagner called Seattle home, and he was honored as an AP All-Pro in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Wagner then moved on to the Los Angeles Rams for a season and returned to the Seattle Seahawks. In 2023, Wagner registered 96 solo tackles, 87 assists, three pass deflections, and 3.5 quarterback sacks. During the 2024 season, Wagner moved again to the Washington Commanders, where he recorded 75 solo tackles, 57 assists, four pass deflections, and two quarterback sacks.
7. Quincy Williams, New York Jets
Another outstanding linebacker still looking to build a legacy is Quincy Williams, and he has become a significant foundational player for a defense viewed as one of the best young units in the NFL. 2023 Williams was named an AP All-Pro linebacker after registering 95 solo tackles, 44 assists, ten pass deflections, two quarterback sacks, and intercepting one pass. During the 2024 season, while the Jets struggled to find consistency, Williams again had a big season, posting 74 solo tackles, 42 assists, 1.0 quarterback sacks, and four pass deflections.
8. Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
Another linebacker that has recently established himself as an elite playmaker in the NFL is Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. In 2023, Franklin posted an exceptional stat line of 107 solo tackles, 72 assists, six pass deflections, and 1.5 quarterback sacks. Franklin proved in 2024 that his 2023 production was not an exception but the norm while he recorded 93 solo tackles, 80 assists, six pass deflections, 3.5 quarterback sacks, and two interceptions.
9. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
Over the last several seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have become the newest NFL team to win at a level approaching dynasty status. While many fans and pundits focus on the Chiefs’ offense, Kansas City has also been assembling elite players to become part of one of the top defensive units in the NFL. Linebacker Nick Bolton has become a centerpiece for the Chiefs’ defense since 2021. In 2023, Bolton experienced a setback due to an injury, and he could only play in eight games for the Chiefs. During the 2024 season, Bolton bounced back, registering 73 solo tackles, 33 assists, six pass deflections, and three quarterback sacks.
10. TJ Edwards, Chicago Bears
While the Chicago Bears have struggled to find an identity on the offensive side of the ball over the last two seasons, the Bears have had success on the defensive side. Since coming to the Bears after starting his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards has reached new heights in his NFL career. In 2023, Edwards recorded 91 solo tackles, 64 assists, seven pass deflections, three interceptions, and 2.5 quarterback sacks. During the 2024 season, Edwards followed up with 79 solo tackles, 50 assists, four quarterback sacks, three pass deflections, and one interception.
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