The Washington Commanders spent significant draft assets to acquire stud left tackle Laremy Tunsil via trade from the Houston Texans. This represented a major statement of intent from general manager Adam Peters, who's swinging for the fences with quarterback Jayden Daniels just one year into his rookie contract.
However, one analyst believes the blindside enforcer and the franchise could be heading for a contract collision course in the not-too-distant future.
Tunsil remains one of the league's most prolific left tackles. He's a perennial Pro Bowler with a lot of good football left in the tank. The penalties weren't ideal last season, but a lot of that added hesitancy and recklessness likely came from having no decent options alongside him on the protection.
The Commanders are betting big that Tunsil can benefit from a more stable environment in Washington. Having a mobile signal caller like Daniels leading the charge makes things easier. The former first-round pick should also be highly motivated after being cast aside by the Texans, which was swiftly followed by questions about his leadership abilities.
Commanders could rework Laremy Tunsil's contract rather than extending it
Jordan Dajani from CBS Sports had a different theory. The respected analyst thought money was a big part of why Houston and Tunsil went their separate ways. He also cited other beat writers who agreed that the premier edge force was probably seeking another lucrative extension sooner rather than later.
"Why did the Texans decide to part ways with the five-time Pro Bowler? My mind on March 10 immediately went to money. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime agrees with me. He posted on social media that he can say "comfortably" Tunsil will be looking for a contract extension. Ben Standig of The Athletic asked Tunsil if he would prefer starting extension talks now or "wait and see." Tunsil said he will keep those conversations in house, but that general manager Adam Peters and the Commanders organization "knows where he stands." Money is a reason why Tunsil is no longer in Houston, in my opinion, and the other facet of this trade that has yet to come down."Jordan Dajani
Tunsil might have let his contract feelings be known to Peters. That doesn't mean he's going to get his wish.
Not right now, anyway.
The Ole Miss graduate has two more years remaining on his deal, which will take him up to 33 years old. Tunsil is counting $21.35 million against the cap in 2025 and 2026. There is also no guaranteed money attached to the final year of his contract. His money is still ranked as the third-highest among all left tackles league-wide, but he'll also know there might only be one more chance to get mega money given his age.
Peters won't be bullied into anything. He no doubt took this into account before making the trade. Tunsil stating that the Commanders know how he feels about it suggests a discussion has already taken place. Offering an extension seems unlikely, but that doesn't mean a compromise cannot be reached another way.
Guaranteeing some of Tunsil's money next season with the promise of more to come if the performance levels warrant another commitment represents a win-win for both parties. It's something Peters did with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. recently, who was also acquired via trade this offseason.
There's no need to press the panic button just yet. Peters has everything in hand, but it's a situation worth monitoring at the very least.
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