It's been a disappointing year for the Washington Commanders, but there have been some positives. One of them is the development of rookie offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
But don't tell former Washington head coach Jay Gruden.
After a brutal first month, the Oregon product has found his footing and emerged as a key building block of the future. The Commanders' offensive line has become a strength in recent weeks, thanks in large part to the new additions of Conerly and Laremy Tunsil on either end.
Jay Gruden's claims about Commanders rookie Josh Conerly Jr. don't match the tape
Gruden, who accumulated a record of 35-49-1 during his five years on the Washington bench, did not hold back about Conerly's first year in the pros during an interview with Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan. And he wasn't particularly complimentary about the No. 29 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"He's just had a tough year... he struggles in pass protection against powerful rushers and speed. He's done some good things, but as far as a starting right tackle, he's below average this year. There's a lot better right tackles out there that are bigger, stronger, especially in the run game... he's just not quite there yet."Jay Gruden via 106.7 The Fan
Jay Gruden was way lower on Josh Conerly’s season than I expected. pic.twitter.com/B3EaRYjLcZ
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 16, 2025
Gruden makes a sound point about Conerly's physical build still needing development. He's not as filled out as most of the league's veteran offensive linemen, which is to be expected as a 22-year-old rookie.
When it comes to his performance, though, Gruden's comments seem incredibly harsh. Conerly got off to a slow start against a gauntlet of opposing edge rushers. But for the past two months, he's been playing at a borderline Pro Bowl-caliber level.
Conerly's day against the New York Giants was a microcosm of his season. He had a bad first quarter, giving up a sack (only his second since Week 7) and being called for a couple of early penalties. But after that, he locked in and held his own, even hustling to recover a pair of fumbles by the offense.
If there's anything to take away from Conerly's season, it's his resilience to adversity. He's taken his lumps, but he's responded by fighting back stronger. That should inspire confidence in every Commanders fan when it comes to his long-term aspirations. His body will continue to develop, which should solve any lingering issues.
Gruden ended his statement by stating he believes Conerly will be fine in time. But all in all, his comments are a disservice to a player who is already well on his way there.