Washington's busy offseason continued with a major trade on Monday.
The Commanders are acquiring five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans in exchange for a package of draft picks: 2025 third- and seventh-round picks, plus 2026 second- and fourth-round selections. Washington will receive a 2025 fourth-round pick in addition to Tunsil, per Rapoport.
The trade marks the second time the Commanders have swung a deal for a household name since the start of March. They sent a fifth-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for receiver Deebo Samuel, adding a veteran to a receiving corps that could use some experience and dynamic ability.
Tunsil arrives as a trusted blindside protector for Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and signals an intent to maximize the star signal-caller's potential immediately. The wunderkind quarterback ran away with the award with a scintillating debut campaign that powered an unexpected franchise turnaround and a magical season which included a return to the playoffs, two upset postseason wins on the road and ended one victory shy of an appearance in Super Bowl LIX.
Instead of resting on their laurels after such a thrilling year, the Commanders are doubling down on their chances with these two deals, plus the retention of two veterans: tight end Zach Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Though Wagner earned his 10th Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2024, Tunsil's standing as one of five offensive tackles to make the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and his 91.9 pass blocking grade over the last three years (per Pro Football Focus) proves he is the best player acquired or retained in this run of moves.
Monday's deal marks the second time Tunsil has been traded in his career. Miami shipped him (and multiple mid-round picks) to the Bill O'Brien-led Texans in exchange for two first-round selections and a second-round choice in 2019. After five Pro Bowl trips in six seasons, Tunsil drew another significant package, though not quite as valuable given he's moving past 30 years old this summer.
A first-round pick of the Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil has spent the majority of his career in Houston, where he initially served as Deshaun Watson's blindside protector and remained a reliable presence as Houston navigated uncertain territory under center until C.J. Stroud arrived and stabilized the position in 2023. The 2024 season, however, suggested such a move might be ahead, as Houston struggled mightily as a five-man unit and failed to protect Stroud for most of the campaign, hindering his development and his confidence in his blockers and leading to the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
With a leaky offensive line existing as a top priority in the offseason, trading away the best member of that group doesn't make much sense on the surface. Tunsil turns 31 in early August, though, and has just two years remaining on his existing contract, which pays him the third-highest average annual salary among all left tackles in the NFL. If ever there were a time to capitalize on Tunsil's remaining value, it was now for Houston.
In return, the Texans receive a collection of picks they can use to reinforce their roster, which is undoubtedly needed up front. With the new league year officially beginning this week, expect Houston to get to work on addressing the offensive line, which now includes a need at left tackle.
