The Washington Commanders know that the most important component to their success in 2026 is protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels after he missed 10 games due to injuries in 2025.
On Monday, the first day of NFL free agency, the Commanders proved they’re willing to pay big money to keep Daniels safe by bringing back 5-time Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with a record-setting contract.
“Commanders Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil reached agreement on a 2-year, $60.2M contract extension with Washington,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “There are $61.5M in guarantees, including the biggest signing bonus for an offensive lineman at $32.5M. Tunsil was the NFL’s 1st $20M per year offensive lineman. He was the league’s 1st $25M per year offensive lineman and now the first $30M offensive lineman.”
Laremy Tunsil’s Dominance on Full Display in 2025
Tunsil, 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, was as good as any offensive tackle in the NFL in 2025 despite the Commanders going 5-12 and missing the playoffs just 1 year after going 12-5 and advancing to the NFC Championship Game.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tunsil’s overall grade of 84.7 put him 8th among 89 eligible left offensive tackles.
Landed on ‘Most Overpaid’ List Before 2025 Season
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon thinks Tunsil’s juice isn’t worth the squeeze and put the 2016 first round pick on his list of the NFL’s “Most Overpaid Players” in 2025.
“This is a little complicated because Tunsil can at times be dominant and has a strong resume that includes five Pro Bowls,” Gagnon wrote on September 1. “And because the Houston Texans are still picking up much of the tab on a contract they handed to him in 2023, his deal isn’t too unfriendly to Washington … at 31 years old he may have lost a step, and the ridiculous 19 penalties he took in 2024 may be evidence of that.”
Within NFL circles, Tunsil is very much still well respected.
NFL executives, coaches and scouts put Tunsil at No. 7 on ESPN’s list of the Top 10 NFL offensive tackles in their annual preseason position rankings.
“Tunsil has long performed like a top-five tackle on our list, but miscues and the Texans’ offensive line struggles hurt his case this time around,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 13. “He has three consecutive seasons of committing at least 10 penalties, including 19 in 2024 … Evaluators still love his combination of footwork, agility and violence — and so did the Washington Commanders.”
One Of Wildest Moments In NFL Draft History
Unfortunately for Tunsil, no story about him is complete without mentioning the day he was drafted No. 13 overall by the Miami Dolphins.
As the draft started a video leaked online from Tunsil’s X account which showed him smoking out of a giant bong attached to a gas mask.
That was followed by a series of screenshots that appeared to show Tunsil’s family was receiving money from Ole Miss staff. Tunsil later admitted he took money while in college.
“A video posted to NFL prospect Laremy Tunsil’s verified Twitter account Thursday night showed the former Ole Miss offensive tackle wearing a gas mask and smoking a substance from a bong,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote in 2016. ” … Tunsil, one of the highest-rated prospects in the draft who at one point was considered a likely No. 1 overall pick, was picked No. 13 overall by the Miami Dolphins. Tunsil confirmed to ESPN’s Suzy Kolber that he was in the video, adding that he was ‘blessed’ to be picked by the Dolphins.”
Commanders Make NFL History With 6-foot-5, 313-Pound Pro Bowler