Commanders first-round pick Josh Conerly primarily lined up at right tackle during spring practices, according to ESPN’s John Keim, but the team believes he could take over at left tackle in the long term.
Right now, that spot is filled by Laremy Tunsil, who arrived in Washington via trade this offseason. He still has two years left on his contract, but no money past 2025 is guaranteed, per OverTheCap. Since the Texans already absorbed the dead money from Tunsil’s signing bonus, 2026 is essentially a $21.35MM team option for the Commanders.
That is still a good price for a top left tackle, and it is unlikely that the Commanders moved two Day 2 draft picks for just one year of Tunsil on the blind side. However, Tunsil has a reputation as a shrewd negotiator and could ask for as much as $30MM on his next contract. If the Commanders balk at that price tag, they could let Tunsil walk in free agency in 2027 with Conerly already in place as their succession plan.
All 28 of Conerly’s college starts at Oregon came at left tackle, so he should be well-prepared for similar duties in the NFL. He has largely played with the second team thus far, per Keim, indicating that veteran Andrew Wylie is likely to retain his starting job. However, Wylie accepted a pay cut this offseason entering the last year of his contract, indicating that the Commanders plan to move on after this season. Conerly could then step in at right tackle in 2026 before flipping back to his natural position in 2027 if the team parts ways with Tunsil.
Tunsil, for his part, is impressed with his rookie teammate, who showcased his movement skills during padless spring practices.
“He’s going to be a dog,” said Tunsil (via Keim). “Just the way he moves, the way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. He has all the tools to be a damn good player in this league.”