The Washington Commanders made some impressive strides throughout the 2024 campaign. A new era dawned and this sleeping giant woke to find itself among the contenders again. But make no mistake, general manager Adam Peters was not going to settle.
And one NFL analyst believes there is a major positive above all else emerging.
Peters wasn't going to sit around and wait for things to come into his lap this offseason. The Commanders' window to win another Super Bowl has arrived. There's also a need to capitalize on quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract before a potential barrier-breaking contract extension if his rapid rise to superstardom continues.
Commanders offense can take off after two high-impact offseason trades
Dalton Wasserman from Pro Football Focus thought the instant-impact trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. represented Washington's biggest positive from their 2025 recruitment so far. Something the analyst believes is the correct approach to give Daniels the firepower needed to excel in Year 2 of his professional career.
"Despite their massive success last season, the Commanders finished 13th in PFF receiving grade and 22nd in PFF pass-blocking grade. As such, they’ve added impactful players in wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil to alleviate those issues. Samuel’s trademark after-the-catch ability should be a seamless fit for a generally conservative passing game. Tunsil ranked fourth in PFF pass-blocking grade among qualified tackles last season. Washington is properly surrounding Jayden Daniels with the tools he needs to succeed."Dalton Wasserman
Peters found alternatives to strengthen the ranks given this wasn't perceived as the deepest free-agent class. Most of those looking for new deals got them. But to find immediuate difference-makers in key positions of need, the Commanders went down the trade route.
Samuel looks highly motivated to silence his doubters in a contract year. The Commanders believe there is still some good football left and it didn't cost them much to find out for sure, sending a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to get this deal over the line.
The addition of Tunsil could be the most important since the Commanders drafted Daniels at No. 2 overall. He's the most prolific left tackle Washington has had since Trent Williams. He's an elite pass-protector and a crushing force against the run. Giving Daniels this sort of blindside security is only going to help his cause.
These are win-now moves from a team that genuinely believes they are on the cusp of something special. The Commanders achieved more than anyone expected in their first year under head coach Dan Quinn. Sustaining success is often much trickier, but Peters is doing everything possible to keep complications to a minimum.
There's still the 2025 NFL Draft to get through. Peters could bolster the squad with free agents depending on what happens during the college selection event with only five picks at his disposal. He's working with a plan in place — albeit with an added sense of urgency. The job is far from finished, but the Commanders remain way ahead of schedule.
And if their two marquee additions to the offense reach or even exceed some lofty expectations, the better Washington's chances will be.