Washington Commanders’ “Bulletproof” $60 million star earns NFL top 5 recognition(Getty) The Washington Commanders have endured plenty of questions after a disappointing 5-12 season. Yet one player never stopped delivering. While the team’s results fell short, left tackle Laremy Tunsil continued to perform at an elite level, and the latest recognition proves his reputation remains intact across the league.That recognition arrived when ESPN released its annual rankings of the NFL‘s best offensive tackles. The list, which comes from votes by league executives, coaches and scouts, placed the Commanders veteran among the league’s top five. It also reinforced why Washington rewarded him with a record-breaking extension earlier this year.
ESPN’s latest rankings show why the Commanders invested heavily in their left tackle
Tunsil checked in at No. 5 in ESPN’s annual offensive tackle rankings, compiled by NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler after surveying league executives, coaches and scouts. One NFC executive summed up the veteran’s game in a few words, calling his play “bulletproof” during Fowler’s ESPN rankings feature pubThe ranking came after another impressive season protecting Washington Commanders quarterback. According to ESPN, Tunsil allowed only four sacks in 393 pass-blocking snap during the 2025 campaign. He also finished with a 91.5 percent pass block win rate while cutting his penalties from 17 in 2024 to just five in 2025.Those numbers stood out even as the Washington Commanders struggled as a team. Washington entered last season with high expectations after reaching the NFC Championship Game the previous year, but injuries and inconsistency led to a 5-12 record. Tunsil, however, remained one of the few bright spots throughout the campaign.His performances also matched what independent grading showed. Pro Football Focus gave him an 84.7 overall grade, ranking him eighth among qualified left tackles. ESPN’s panel viewed him even more favourably by placing him inside the league’s top five at the position.Washington made its commitment clear on March 9, 2026, when it signed Tunsil to a two-year, $60.2 million extension. Shortly after the agreement became public, Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account that the deal included $61.5 million in guarantees and a $32.5 million signing bonus, the largest ever for an offensive lineman. Schefter also noted that Tunsil became the NFL’s first $30 million-per-year offensive lineman.The latest ESPN ranking suggests the Washington Commanders’ investment already looks justified. Protecting franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels remains Washington’s top priority, and few players around the league have built a stronger reputation in pass protection than Tunsil.More ESPN positional rankings will arrive over the coming days. Players such as Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and Frankie Luvu could also earn places among the NFL’s best. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to the Washington Commanders’ highest-paid lineman, whose consistent play continues to earn respect across the league.