The Washington Commanders managed to hold on for a morale-boosting win over the New York Giants to end their eight-game losing slump. But for one former starter, the coaching staff confirmed his inevitable offseason fate with one telling move.
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil has been a rock this season. He's been nothing short of elite since joining the Commanders via trade from the Houston Texans, but he left the game in Week 15 twice. First, it was a shoulder problem. Then the edge protector suffered an oblique issue and didn't return.
The Commanders had a contingency plan ready. Those in power opted to put 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman on the blindside despite his lack of involvement since being benched in Week 3. He was solid enough, but this told fans all they needed to know about Andrew Wylie's future beyond 2025.
Commanders sealed Andrew Wylie's fate with telling move in Week 15
Wylie was seen by most as the team's swing tackle option. While more of his NFL experience has come at the right tackle spot, head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could have easily plugged him into the left with the contest hanging in the balance. They decided against it, giving valuable reps to Coleman instead.
This was the correct choice. Coleman has more long-term upside, even if things haven't gone according to plan this season. They need to get him back into a groove. And if this came at the expense of Wylie's feelings, so be it.
The two-time Super Bowl winner arrived in 2023 free agency, spending two years as Washington's starting right tackle with mixed success. The Commanders traded for Tunsil and spent the No. 29 pick in the draft on Josh Conerly Jr. this offseason, which sent Wylie to the fringes. And even though he performed well at right guard to steady the ship, Sam Cosmi's return to health came with another demotion.
Wylie is out of contract in 2026. Any slim hope he had of potentially getting another opportunity in Washington evaporated the moment he saw Coleman step in for Tunsil. When the time comes, he'll be free to take his chances elsewhere, and there could be a suitable interest in his services on the open market.
His time in Washington didn't go as planned. Wylie came in at a difficult time, with a change in ownership and Ron Rivera living on borrowed time. It wasn't easy, but he adapted well under challenging circumstances.
But his future lies elsewhere. That is now crystal clear.