The Washington Commanders won't want to remember their 2025 season exploits with any great fondness. However, it wasn't all bad, despite the 5-12 record.
And for one player, it cemented his status as an underrated yet integral part of the team's future plans.
This has never been in doubt over the past couple of seasons in Washington. But after a successful return from injury, the national media is now starting to give Sam Cosmi the respect the fans have demanded.
Cosmi spent the early part of the campaign recovering from a torn ACL. When the stud right guard did return, he didn't skip a beat, providing assured pass protection and dominant run-stopping capabilities that nobody who replaced the lineman provided.
Commanders lineman Sam Cosmi is gaining some long overdue national plaudits
The former Texas star's 76.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 10th league-wide among all qualifying guards. Zach Tantillo from PFF added more praise to Cosmi, proclaiming him as Washington's secret superstar from an otherwise underwhelming campaign.
"Coming off a torn ACL late last season, [Sam] Cosmi returned to form as one of Washington’s most consistent players in 2025. He finished as the team’s third-highest-graded offensive player (76.4), posting 72.0-plus grades in both pass blocking and run blocking. Cosmi allowed just 11 pressures and two sacks on the season and closed the year with six consecutive games without allowing a pressure."Zach Tantillo, PFF
Ron Rivera didn't get much right during his four-year stint at the helm. However, his decision to draft Cosmi and switch him onto the interior when his time at tackle wasn't productive enough is benefiting the Commanders long after his departure.
Even though Cosmi ended the season on injured reserve, this was more precautionary rather than anything concerning. With a full offseason to prepare this time around, and some much-needed stability across the offensive line, another dominant year is well within his capabilities when the 2026 regular season arrives.
Massive changes are already happening in Washington. Cosmi is among the very few dependable constants. His on-field production is exceptional, and his locker-room leadership is highly regarded. This is the definition of a cornerstone piece. And even though the 2021 second-round pick's efforts go largely unnoticed on a national scale, he's a critical part of the Commanders' ambitions to get things trending up.
Hopefully, Cosmi's injury problems are a thing of the past. If so, the Commanders have no problems on the right-hand side of their line if Josh Conerly Jr. makes the desired improvements.