It's no secret that Laremy Tunsil is looking to get paid this offseason. And the elite left tackle just got a massive boost before heading to the negotiating table without lifting a finger.
Seth Walder of ESPN released a list of the top 100 MVP candidates for the 2025 season. As you might expect, some of his calls were fairly obvious while others seemed designed to provoke conversation.
As far as the Washington Commanders are concerned, Walder’s list shed some light on one of the key decisions confronting general manager Adam Peters this offseason.
Tunsil was the second offensive lineman to appear at No. 24. All-Pro left tackle Garrett Bolles of the Denver Broncos was the only lineman to finish ahead of the Commanders veteran. Penei Sewell and Dion Dawkins came in a few spots after.
Commanders don't need to overcomplicate Laremy Tunsil's offseason extension
When Peters completed the trade for Tunsil, it was the clearest of several signs that he was pushing all his chips in on 2025. The blindside enforcer had been selected to the Pro Bowl in five of his six seasons with the Houston Texans. He was 30 years old and still playing at a very high level, but the AFC South club seemed eager to rebuild its offensive line with younger players.
Peters gave up a lot for his new left tackle. He dropped back one round in the 2025 NFL Draft and also surrendered a seventh-round pick. But the major cost would come in 2026.
The front-office leader included his second- and fourth-round picks in the deal. He had already acquired veterans Marshon Lattimore and Deebo Samuel Sr., and was about to sign or re-sign another raft of veteran players to bolster the roster.
Most of the offseason moves backfired. But Tunsil did exactly what was expected of him.
He provided a solid, steady presence at the all-important left tackle spot. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as Washington’s second-best player on the season, trailing only Terry McLaurin, who missed almost half the year with injuries.
Tunsil played in 14 games and finished as the sixth-ranked offensive tackle in the NFL, according to PFF. He missed the final three games of the year with multiple injuries, including an oblique strain.
The former Ole Miss standout has one more year remaining on his current contract and has been very clear about wanting a new deal. Peters has also been very open about his desire to work out an extension.
A ranking in an ESPN article may not give the player much additional leverage in negotiations, but it does put the importance of reaching a deal into stark relief. Washington has some good pieces on its line, including Sam Cosmi, Tyler Biadasz, and Josh Conerly Jr. However, Tunsil is the linchpin.
Players and coaches alike praised his talent and leadership throughout the season. With him on the field, the Commanders could essentially leave him one-on-one against the opponents’ best pass rushers and devote more resources to helping other players across the protection.
It would seem that one of the Peters’ main priorities for next season is ensuring quarterback Jayden Daniels returns strong. Locking up his left tackle is a major step toward doing just that.
Commanders’ fans already recognized this. Now, they have a respected national analyst confirming that opinion.