If the Washington Commanders want to bounce back next season, their franchise cornerstones need to step up. And they know it.
The right tempo was set over Washington's early offseason program. For one team insider, it was the actions of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil that spoke much louder than words.
Washington failed to meet expectations last season, but the decision to acquire Tunsil via trade from the Houston Texans was a revelation. His elite production, willingness to lead, and the way he carried himself in difficult circumstances couldn't have been more impressive. General manager Adam Peters recognized his importance, handing him a bumper new contract extension.
Laremy Tunsil sent all the right signals over Commanders' offseason program
Tunsil is worth every cent. And looking at the way he's approached this offseason, it's a financial commitment he is looking to repay.
JP Finlay of NBC Sports highlighted how impressive Tunsil was over early workouts. And there was one thing above all else that caught his eye.
"One of the most impressive things I saw throughout the summer was from Laremy Tunsil. Known around the league as a hard worker and leader but with little regard for showing that publicly, this summer allowed a peak.
"The single moment that stood out for me came from the conclusion of minicamp practices when the entire team ran a series of short sprints. Tunsil - the five-time Pro Bowler going into his 11th season and with career earnings of well over $100 million - was grinding out the June sprints. Actions not words."
Leading by example. And it's not the first example of this with Tunsil.
Tunsil showed up for OTAs, which hasn't typically been the case throughout recent years. He's making sure everyone is getting on the same page, and other veteran leaders are fully on board. He's also taking on a more mentor role with Josh Conerly Jr., which began last season and is only strengthening during the current preparation period.
This is precisely what the Commanders wanted to see. But in all honesty, Tunsil has never given them much to worry about.
Head coach Dan Quinn knows what he's getting with Tunsil. There aren't many better tackles in the league. He's deeply respected by his peers and is doing everything in his power to make sure the Commanders' 2025 collapse was merely a blip on their road to perennial contention.
When elite players display this sort of attitude, everyone else willingly falls in line.
Tunsil taking part in sprints might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but it's significant. He doesn't need to do it, but he feels Washington's current predicament demands a tone-setting approach. And the team is better off for it.
There are many unknowns surrounding the Commanders as training camp approaches. Tunsil is as close to a sure thing as you'll find anywhere in the NFL.
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