March 18, 2026, 6:15 a.m. ET

When the Washington Commanders acquired five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans in March 2023, there were questions as to why a team in desperate need of offensive line help would trade such a valuable player.

While no one ever confirmed why, rumors circulated that Houston wanted to see more leadership from Tunsil. Additionally, another rumor was that Houston didn’t want to go through another contract negotiation with Tunsil, who primarily represents himself. There was never a concrete reason as to why the Texans, who needed to protect their young quarterback, would trade Tunsil.

Washington sending multiple draft picks to Houston probably helped that decision.

Regardless, the Commanders were thrilled to land Tunsil with two years remaining on his contract to protect the blind side of franchise passer Jayden Daniels.

Washington didn’t have the season it envisioned when acquiring Tunsil last fall, but don’t blame Tunsil. He was phenomenal. Somehow, he didn’t even make the Pro Bowl. Sure, the Pro Bowl as we know it now is a joke, but Tunsil was as good, if not better, than any left tackle in the NFL last season. Coaches and teammates praised Tunsil throughout the season. While everyone knew Tunsil was an elite pass blocker, the Commanders were thrilled with his run blocking.

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They also loved his leadership. Almost immediately after being drafted last April, Tunsil took first-round pick, Josh Conerly Jr., under his wing. Conerly struggled early in the season against some of the NFL’s best pass rushers, but looked like a different player in the second half of the season. Conerly credited Tunsil.

After signing his new deal, Tunsil met with the local Washington media via Zoom, and acknowledged embracing the “teacher” role.

“I think that’s one of the biggest things was teaching,” Tunsil said. “Just to see where Josh’s game went to from Game 1 to the end of the season, like how his game just elevated to the player he is today. And I feel like he is just going to go and get better. But that was one of my biggest roles. That’s always been a big role for me, just when a young guy comes in as an offensive lineman, I feel like I have to be that mentor, or that big brother role. Because I had that when I came into the league, I had like three big brothers when I came into the league, so they made everything so easy for me. So, I feel like I have to give that energy back to anybody, any young guy that comes into the locker room. …being a teacher, I never thought I’d say that, was one of the biggest things I feel like I brought to the locker room.”

Tunsil was excellent. On the field and in the locker room. He also confirmed that he plans to work out with some of Washington’s offensive linemen this offseason, including Conerly.

How happy were the Commanders with Tunsil? Enough to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman, per average annual value, in NFL history, giving him a two-year extension worth $60.2 million.