The Washington Commanders have several questions littered throughout their roster following the 2025 season, but one consolation is that they found an answer at one of the most important positions.
The Commanders sent several draft picks -- a 2025 third-round and seventh-round pick as well as 2026 second-round and fourth-round picks -- to the Houston Texans in exchange for veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil to provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with more protection. While the Commanders had a lot that didn't go right in 2025, Tunsil was a hit, allowing just 15 pressures in 14 games. He received the seventh-best offensive grade among tackles from Pro Football Focus (84.7) and helped stabilize an offensive line that improved over time.
As the "Command Center" crew breaks down each position on their weekly podcast, they agree that Tunsil was worth the investment.
"If we would have given up a first-round pick, it still would have been enough draft capital," Fred Smoot said of Tunsil. "You couldn't give up enough picks to get a left tackle with his pedigree."
Tunsil, regarded as one of the best pass protectors in the NFL, was as advertised in his first season with Washington. PFF gave him the second best pass block grade among tackles with an 88.9 for allowing just two sacks all season, marking the seventh time he's allowed two or fewer in his career. He also received an efficiency rating of 98.1 -- the third best in 10 seasons.
But perhaps Tunsil's biggest contribution came in the run game, where he received a career-high grade of 75.3 from PFF. He was only defeated on 7.9% of run plays, which ranks second best among NFC offensive tackles with at least 250 run block snaps behind only Trent Williams. Tunsil was aware of the "stigma" surrounding him that run blocking was one of his weaker traits, and he set out to disprove that notion.
"I always want to be the best," Tunsil said. "And the way for me to do that is work my ass off."
Those efforts had a ripple effect on the Commanders' offense. They finished the season ranked fourth in rushing yards per game and tied for fourth in yards per carry. The players around Tunsil also showed improvement; Chris Paul set a new career high in pass blocking with a 78.2 grade from PFF for allowing just two sacks and 17 pressures.
"He really elevated everybody," analyst Logan Paulsen said. "Everyone talks about the draft capital that was given up for him. I think he well exceeded the billing."
The Commanders' front office is happy with their purchase as well. General manager Adam Peters said during the end-of-season press conference that Tunsil was "outstanding both on the field and in the locker room" because of his leadership and production. Peters didn't speak much on the potential of extending Tunsil beyond next season, when his contract is set to expire, but he did admit that "we definitely want to get something done with him and sooner rather than later."
As Paulsen pointed out, the best teams in the league have a good left tackle. The Commanders appear to have found one in Tunsil, and while changes are coming for both sides of the ball in 2026, left tackle won't be involved in those plans.
"There ain't too many Laremy Tunsils out there," Smoot said.
