​The Washington Commanders should feel solidly encouraged about the future of their offensive tackle position. At left tackle, the team boasts one of the NFL’s elite players in Laremy Tunsil. He recently agreed to a two-year extension, further cementing his status as the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman and signaling Washington’s commitment to stability at the spot. At right tackle, Josh Conerly Jr. stepped into a crucial role as the Commanders’ 2025 first-round pick and started every game as a rookie. He faced a steep early challenge, lining up across from some of the game’s premier edge rushers, including Brian Burns, Micah Parsons, and Maxx Crosby in his first three NFL contests. The early portion of his rookie season included a fair share of ups and downs, yet his performance markedly improved as the season progressed, with a noticeable uptick in play during the latter half.
It’s worth noting that some evaluators have fixated on Conerly’s season-long rookie metrics, which don’t capture the full story of his development. In the current offseason, Conerly dedicated himself to reshaping his body and spent substantial time working with Tunsil. He downplayed the notion that his physique had dramatically changed, emphasizing that he remains in the same general weight range while making refinements. “Honestly, I’m still around the same weight, like 310-315. I did cut a heavy amount after the season because I ended the season at like 318 or something around there,” Conerly explained last month. “I was pretty fat, so I cut down a lot of body fat and added some muscle, I guess.” His comments reflect a focus on functional improvement rather than chasing a specific number on the scale.
Together, Washington’s offensive line can be viewed as a team strength heading into the new season. The tandem of Tunsil and Conerly remains intact, providing a formidable backbone at the tackle positions. Right guard Sam Cosmi is also back to full health, contributing further stability up front. Left guard Chris Paul and Brandon Coleman return as well, though Coleman is in a battle to earn a starting spot at left guard. Coleman has spent most of his NFL time at left tackle, beginning last season at left guard before shifting to tackle late in the year to spell Tunsil and even stepping in as an extra tight end at times. Veteran Nick Allegretti is in place as the intended replacement at center for Tyler Biadasz, though his status for the position is a major question mark to monitor.
With Tunsil starring at left tackle, it’s reasonable to expect Washington’s line to garner greater respect this season. Some analysts projected the unit toward the back end of the league, ranking in the 20s ahead of 2026. Part of that skepticism stems from the line’s uneven performance last season. For instance, Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated recently ranked the top five NFL tackle duos for 2026 and did not include the Washington pair of Tunsil and Conerly among his selections. Manzano’s list featured several impressive duos, and while theCommanders’ pair may contend with some of those cited, it’s also fair to point to Conerly’s late-season surge as evidence that the rookie’s development is trending positively. It’s easy to overlook the late-season improvement in Conerly’s game, and some observers may be influenced by lingering narratives about the Eagles’ line or the absence of Jeff Stoutland as their offensive line coach in 2026. The Eagles’ potential drop-off could affect comparisons in ways that overstate or obscure Washington’s capabilities.
Conerly remains a player with plenty to prove, and he isn’t chasing accolades but rather consistent, game-by-game improvement. He intends to play every snap and grow from each challenge. If he and Tunsil can stay healthy and on the field throughout the season, the outlook for Washington’s offensive line could look notably different in the rankings by season’s end. The combination of a top-tier left tackle and a promising young right tackle provides a strong foundation for the unit, and with the rest of the line rounding into form, the Commanders’ line could evolve into a genuine strength that supports the offense for years to come.