​There are plenty of questions surrounding the Washington Commanders as they head into 2026. Will quarterback Jayden Daniels rebound from last season, which was hampered by injuries and a disappointing second year? Will new offensive coordinator David Blough adapt smoothly, or will he struggle to implement his vision? Do the Commanders have enough weapons on offense beyond Terry McLaurin to keep defenses honest? And what about the defense—will it rise to meet expectations? Yet there was one area we didn’t seem to question: Washington’s offensive line. It’s easy to assume the line is a strength, especially with a new coaching voice at the helm. Darnell Stapleton, formerly the assistant offensive line coach, has been promoted to lead the unit, replacing Bobby Johnson. Stapleton is a proponent of a zone-based blocking scheme, which Blough plans to employ, signaling a shift from the gap-based approach the team used under Johnson.
The good news for Stapleton is the personnel. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil signed a two-year extension this offseason, securing his status as the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman for the third time in his career. Josh Conerly Jr. enters his second season and, despite a rough start to his pro career, looked like a transformed player in the second half of his rookie year. He’s also spent the offseason reshaping his body, working closely with Tunsil to refine his technique and conditioning. Right guard Sam Cosmi is back and provides a near-Pro Bowl caliber presence when healthy. Left guard Chris Paul returns as well, offering stability on the interior. Brandon Coleman will compete with Paul for the left guard spot, bringing versatility after declining injury risk and contributing as a swing option along the line. Coleman’s value has already shown through two seasons, as he has demonstrated the ability to handle guard and tackle duties with competence.
One familiar face is gone from last season: center Tyler Biadasz. In a surprising move, the Commanders released Biadasz ahead of free agency. Veteran Nick Allegretti is back for his third season in Washington and is expected to step in at center, bringing veteran savvy and starting experience. Andrew Wylie also returns and provides versatility with extensive starting experience at tackle and guard. With so many returning starters and key contributors, it might seem odd that the line isn’t more highly regarded league-wide. Yet several outlets still rank the Commanders’ offensive line in the bottom tier, with some lists placing them as low as 22nd or worse.
So why the low ranking? Scott DiBenedetto of Fantasy Points, a former Cleveland Browns scout, recently shared his 2026 offensive line rankings and placed Washington at No. 23. It’s a stark contrast to the optimism around the unit’s depth and continuity, and it highlights the tension between internal confidence and external evaluation. There’s no shortage of past disappointment either; I had held higher expectations for the Commanders’ O-line entering last year, following a strong 2024 campaign. Jayden Daniels’ injury-era regression did not help the overall unit, and the run-pass balance suffered as a result, underscoring how central health and cohesion are to line performance.
The bright spots remain clear. Laremy Tunsil continues to be a stabilizing force on the edge and must anchor this line again in 2026. Conerly, while still developing, has shown enough potential to be a reliable contributor in both pass protection and the running game, but significant growth is needed in both phases before him becoming a true anchor. The interior is where the major conversations will focus, particularly with Allegretti stepping into the center role and the ongoing evaluation of Cosmi and Paul at guard. If the unit can stay healthy, mitigate the instability of recent seasons, and embrace Stapleton’s zone-blocking philosophy, there’s a credible path to the improved performance the team needs.
In terms of scheme fit, the shift toward a zone-centric approach under Stapleton aligns with Blough’s preferences and could enable better reach blocking, more leverage-based protection, and a smoother flow of plays designed to create cutback lanes and quicker interior reactions. That harmony between front five technique and Blough’s play-calling could unlock more coordinated run schemes and more efficient protection against varied defensive looks. The key will be consistency: keeping the same five on the field, ensuring seamless communication, and maintaining discipline against high-pressure fronts that defenses will increasingly throw at Washington.
Overall, the Commanders enter 2026 with a line that looks the part on paper, judged by experience and continuity. The real test will be translating that talent into a consistently dominant unit on the field, especially as the team pivots to a zone-blocking strategy. If Stapleton can maximize the potential of Conerly and the reconstituted interior, if Allegretti can steady the center position, and if Tunsil remains the anchor he has repeatedly proven himself to be, Washington could finally see the O-line live up to the expectations that have persisted for years. The prospect is compelling, even if the national consensus remains cautious, and the path to improvement seems feasible with the personnel and strategic changes now in place.