The Washington Commanders pulled off a bombshell trade for veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil in pursuit of finding an elite-level blindside enforcer that quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels can depend upon. This was a significant statement of intent, but it does involve some reshuffling for others.
Those plans became clearer following head coach Dan Quinn's media availability at the NFL league meetings. Something that centered on the potential role for second-year-pro Brandon Coleman moving forward.
Coleman was tasked with substantial responsibilities as a rookie. The No. 67 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was seen as an edge protector by those in power when some analysts thought he'd be better suited to the interior. Splitting blindside reps with Cornelius Lucas was a smart move during his early transition. This allowed some breathing space and also gave him immediate starting experience for good measure.
The former TCU star ramped up his influence as the campaign wore on. Coleman struggled on an island at times and experienced some expected growing pains. It was a solid contribution overall, but one cannot look at Tunsil's arrival as anything other than an upgrade of epic proportions.
Commanders plan to shift Brandon Cleman to right tackle after Laremy Tunsil trade
This brings an elite-level presence to the spot, something the Commanders haven't had since Trent Williams was traded. Coleman's role instantly shifted, but what that would be wasn't revealed until Quinn disclosed the initial plan of attack.
The respected head coach confirmed that Coleman will shift over to the right-hand side. Quinn stated that the plan is to deploy him at the right tackle spot initially to see how he fares. This probably indicates Andrew Wylie is going to the interior with Sam Cosmi set to miss most if not all of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL against the Detroit Lions.
If Coleman doesn't meet expectations over the summer, the Commanders have the flexibility to pivot. Wylie could go back onto the edge with the Denton High School product going to right guard. They cannot afford for the right to become a weak link without Cosmi, so one couldn't dismiss the possibility of Peters spending one of his high-end draft picks on another offensive tackle to improve the team's long-term outlook.
Tunsil is a superstar. He's a five-time Pro Bowler and widely regarded among the league's most prolific pass protectors. He cannot man every position, so others must also reach their end of the bargain to ensure Washington's substantial investment has the desired effect.
There will be more pressure on Coleman this time around. He's no longer a rookie and is expected to progress after gaining so much big-game experience in Year 1 of his professional career. Trading for Tunsil doesn't diminish Washington's belief in the player. It just means this was an opportunity they couldn't turn down in pursuit of going one better in 2025.
Coleman is getting the first shot at locking down the right tackle spot. If everything goes according to or better than anticipated, the position could be his for years to come.
