The Washington Commanders are generating plenty of buzz for how they are approaching their early offseason preparation. Complacency crept in last time around, but things have been flipped upside down after a campaign that won't live too long in the memory.
That is no more evident than with 2025 first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr., who has shown up to minicamp with a completely different mindset.
Conerly's rookie campaign overall was encouraging. It was a torrid start against some of the NFL's most prolific edge rushers, which provided the former Oregon star with the steep learning curve needed right out of the gate. It brought a positive response from the lineman, and his performances over the second half of the season were largely consistent.
Josh Conerly Jr.'s relentless offseason can reap rewards for Commanders
He is looking to build on this momentum. Conerly has done this through hard work and dedication away from the team.
Working out with Laremy Tunsil. A strict strength and conditioning program. Eating right and being disciplined. These were key elements of Conerly's offseason, and his hard work is paying off handsomely.
Conerly looks stronger, fitter, and more dynamic. Based on reports from Washington's mandatory minicamp, there is more twitch in his movements and more explosiveness at the point of contact. The right tackle was even seen putting in extra work after practice, with Tunsil alongside providing counsel.
Watch Josh Conerly Jr. putting in the work pic.twitter.com/DpCfCO1ke3
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 17, 2026
It's the sort of attitude that endeared the player to the Commanders before taking him at No. 29 overall last year. If the same trend continues, the second-year pro could be in line for a highly profitable season.
Keeping quarterback Jayden Daniels clean in the pocket will be crucial. There are some concerns around the interior, but the Commanders may have a bookend tackle tandem on their hands in Tunsil and Conerly. The new blocking concepts from offensive coordinator David Blough look well-suited to their physical strengths, which only heightens expectations further.
Conerly was relatively satisfied with his rookie exploits. But that was not enough for him.
He wants to be the best. Conerly is certainly working with the best, and it's benefiting the player greatly. He's learning about the intricacies of being an elite edge protector and being a professional away from the field. Given his transformation from last year to this, he is taking everything on board.
The Commanders will lean heavily on Conerly. He's got a year of useful experience under his belt and another offseason to grow. It's still early days, but he's displaying the signs typically associated with franchise cornerstone tackles around the league.
That's a lofty bar to aim for. But make no mistake; that is Conerly's goal.
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