The Washington Commanders sensed an opportunity. General manager Adam Peters had to pay a premium for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but after just one season with the club, it already looks like one of his best investments since taking charge of the franchise.
The Houston Texans thought they could cope without Tunsil, one of the league's most accomplished blindside enforcers. But almost a year since the transaction came to light, it's looking more lopsided than ever.
Washington didn't reach lofty expectations, but Tunsil was phenomenal. His pass protection was elite, and the run blocking dominance caught everyone by surprise. The Commanders instantly solved one of their most glaring flaws, even if the team struggled overall.
As for the Texans? They made the playoffs on the back of their exceptional defense. But when it came to the crunch, Houston's offensive line crumbled, and quarterback C.J. Stroud suffered greatly.
Commanders trade for Laremy Tunsil keeps getting better and better
So much so that former ESPN analyst Todd McShay, who now works for The Ringer, claimed the Texans could be looking to move on from Stroud if a suitable trade offer arrives this offseason.
"But the intriguing stuff, I’m told, don’t be surprised in the next couple weeks, as we get closer and closer to free agency, there’s going to be some big-name quarterbacks that are currently in destinations, that have contracts that are going to be targeted. Teams are going to be aggressive. C.J. [Stroud’s] one of them."Todd McShay
That was instantly shut down by beat writers who closely follow the team. It might be hearsay with no substance attached, but it clearly points to the precarious situation Stroud now finds himself in after taking the league by storm as a rookie.
And losing the one offensive lineman capable of keeping things free for Stroud to go through his progressions is being painted in a chilling new light.
If the Texans had decided to keep Tunsil, it's a different story. He was once again among the league's most productive, durable, and undeniable left tackles in 2025. The four-time Pro Bowler was unfortunate not to earn All-Pro consideration. If the Commanders had finished with a better record, that prestigious honor may have arrived.
The Commanders won this trade. Tunsil was a revelation from the moment he got into the building, providing accomplished consistency and a strong mentor presence for rookie first-rounder Josh Conerly Jr. Once he gets a lucrative contract extension this offseason, his status as a long-term franchise cornerstone will be confirmed for as long as he wants to carry on playing.
Peters made a lot of mistakes. Trading for Tunsil was not one of them. And if the Texans had the chance to go back, knowing what they know now, they might jump at it.