Andrew Wylie's become a scapegoat of sorts for the Washington Commanders since his arrival two years ago. However, a notable contract update regarding the offensive lineman sent a clear message about the team's plans for 2025.
Adam Peters has focused his primary attention on the trenches this offseason. Washington's defensive line got a makeover with Jonathan Allen's release and several experienced figures coming into the fold. Of course, the protection in front of star quarterback Jayden Daniels also received a monumental boost.
The Commanders ignored free agents, setting their sights on another bombshell trade for prolific left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. This represents another elite-level performer acquired for decent draft capital who can upgrade the unit considerably.
Commanders could switch Andrew Wylie's position after contract restructure
Tunsil won't be moving from the blindside. It would be surprising if Nick Allegretti and Tyler Biadasz moved from the left guard and center spots respectively. That cast some doubt over Wylie's future, who didn't give up a sack in 2024 but remained vulnerable on an island.
Instead of contemplating removing Wylie from the equation, the Commanders had something else in mind. Those in power opted to restructure the final year of his deal. He got some guarantees and will be working towards incentives. This also probably comes in at a little less all things considered.
That sends a clear message about Wylie. He'll be starting. But his position is probably going to change.
The Commanders wouldn't have reduced Wylie's salary, if those reports were accurate, if they planned to continue with him on the edge. There's also growing belief around the media that Brandon Coleman is switching sides following Tunsil's arrival.
Coleman spent his rookie campaign on the blindside. The 2024 third-round pick shared reps with Cornelius Lucas to smooth his initial transition. There was a lot to like about his performance levels, although the inevitable teething problems were rife in Year 1 of his professional career.
The former TCU standout's compact frame and lack of legitimate length meant he was often overwhelmed without help. Coleman will benefit greatly from this experience. At the same time, the Commanders weren't going to turn down the opportunity to acquire someone with Tunsil's glowing credentials.
This is a major improvement on anything the Commanders have had since Trent Williams. Switching Coleman to right tackle comes with long-term potential. Wylie looks more than capable of manning the right guard position with Sam Cosmi set to miss most if not all of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL against the Detroit Lions.
The Commanders can experiment. If Coleman is struggling, switching places with Wylie couldn't be completely dismissed. It's a good fallback option to have, and there's also the prospect of someone else joining via the remaining veteran pool or during the 2025 NFL Draft.
There's plenty of incentive for Wylie to perform regardless of where he's deployed. This is the final year of his deal, so urgency will be high to improve his chances of another commitment. That is almost entirely dependent on his consistency and professionalism.
