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The Washington Commanders made a deep playoff run last season behind rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, reaching the NFC Championship Game. Now, they are making aggressive moves to turn that success into a Super Bowl push. Their latest move was acquiring Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans in exchange for multiple draft picks. The deal strengthens their offensive line while Daniels remains on his rookie contract. Tunsil still has two years left on his three-year, $75 million deal, meaning an extension will be necessary soon. But with their championship window open, Washington is fully committed to taking advantage.
This trade follows two other major acquisitions in recent months. On March 1, they sent a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, adding another dynamic target for Daniels. In October, they traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, giving up two draft picks to reinforce the secondary.
The cost to land Tunsil was steep. Washington gave up a third-round and seventh-round pick in 2025, along with a second-round and fourth-round pick in 2026. For a front office that has stressed building through the draft, parting with these selections signals a shift in strategy. However, with a surplus of picks from previous drafts, the team had the flexibility to make this move.
Tunsil’s Impact on Washington’s Offensive Line
Tunsil, a five-time Pro Bowler, is widely regarded as one of the league’s best left tackles. While he has struggled with penalties—committing an NFL-high 17 last season, including 12 false starts—his combination of length, quickness, and pass-blocking ability makes him an elite asset. One defensive coach who faced Houston in 2024 described him as being “as good as there is in the league” when healthy and at his best.
His arrival reshapes Washington’s offensive line. Brandon Coleman, who started 15 games at left tackle last season, will likely shift to guard or right tackle, giving Washington a more complete and physical unit. Tunsil turns 31 in August, but with his skill set, he could remain a dominant presence for another five to six seasons.
A Shift in Strategy for Adam Peters?
Washington’s approach this offseason raises questions about general manager Adam Peters’ long-term vision. Since arriving from San Francisco, Peters has emphasized building through the draft. However, acquiring Tunsil and Samuel means sacrificing draft capital, leaving Washington with just 10 total picks over the next two drafts.
During Peters’ tenure with the 49ers, the team drafted 28 players in the first three years, unearthing key pieces like George Kittle, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, and Deebo Samuel. However, that strategy required patience, as the 49ers finished 10-22 in the first two seasons before emerging as contenders.
Washington doesn’t have time to wait. With veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz leading the roster, the team is prioritizing immediate impact over long-term development. Last year’s draft class is expected to form the foundation of Washington’s future, with Daniels, Coleman, cornerback Mike Sainristil, and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton all expected to be key contributors in 2025.
Players Welcome the “Win Now” Mentality
Veterans in the locker room support Washington’s aggressive approach. Ertz, who re-signed with the Commanders this offseason, acknowledged that while young players take time to develop, acquiring proven talent eliminates uncertainty.
“Oftentimes they do take a few years to develop,” Ertz said, “so for a guy that wants to win now, just like everyone else in this building, sometimes it is a little bit of a shortcut to get a proven commodity — a couple of those guys that are really, really, really good football players and that help our team immediately. There is no guessing or projection.”
Of course, if this all-in push falls short, Washington could face a difficult rebuild without key draft assets. For now, though, the team is betting on Daniels’ talent and his affordable rookie contract to sustain a long-term contender.
Just two years ago, Washington was searching for a new owner. Last year, they were searching for a quarterback. Now, they’re searching for their first Lombardi Trophy since 1991.
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This report used information from ESPN.
