Commanders trade for Laremy Tunsil ranks as best offseason move for franchise
The Washington Commanders made some solid moves during free agency and added some promising new faces through the 2025 NFL draft. Adam Peters is in his second year as general manager, and he’s proving that all of the time he spent working as a scout and in player personnel departments was worth it.
One of the biggest moves the Commanders made this offseason was trading for offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil previously played for the Houston Texans, but orchestrated his own trade, acting as his own agent, and now the veteran will don burgundy and gold this fall.
That trade was highly praised throughout the NFL, and The Athletic’s Mike Sando says it’s his favorite move by the Commanders.
Acquiring Laremy Tunsil from Houston could solve the Commanders’ left tackle position through quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract and beyond. Tunsil, who turns 31 in August, has earned Pro Bowl honors five times in the past six seasons. He’s younger than left tackles Duane Brown and Trent Williams were when Seattle and San Francisco acquired them, respectively. Brown and Williams were solid through their age-36 seasons. This could be a very good move if Tunsil holds up similarly.
In 2024, only five quarterbacks were sacked more than Jayden Daniels. He took 47 sacks despite his ability to escape the pocket, so one can only imagine what that number would have been if he weren’t mobile. Caleb Williams was sacked the most (68), followed by C.J. Stroud (52), Geno Smith (50), and Joe Burrow and Sam Darnold both were sacked 48 times.
While Daniels has the ability to run, and he’s quite good at it, the Commanders know that for his longevity, he needs to remain in the pocket more often. He’s never going to stay there, nor would anyone want him to change how he plays, but as a professional, he needs to understand that an adjustment to his play has already started.
Tunsil was, indeed, a fantastic addition to the Commanders. He makes the offensive line better, brings veteran leadership to that line, and has a track record of success in protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
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