Football is a team sport. It takes all 11 players on one side of the ball to get through the other 11 players on the field. Some positions on the field are considered more important than others, although none of them can function without the other. In this sport, the quarterback is considered the most important position on the field. He leads the team, calls the plays, points out coverage, audibles when the defense gives a different look, and is ultimately responsible for the team’s overall efficiency.
Still, the quarterback doesn’t do it alone; he needs each and every player on the field to do their part to be successful. After quarterback, the most important position is debatable. So, CBS Sports decided to name each team’s most important non-quarterback player. Not a position, but a specific player, who is most important to the success of the team. For the Washington Commanders, the answer might surprise you.
Washington Commanders: OT Laremy TunsilIt was tough to choose a player for Washington, which needs to show more improvement on defense than offense. There are so many areas that need work, though, that it’s tough to land on just one player as the most important.So instead we came back around to the Commies’ biggest (literally) offseason addition in Tunsil, who will be counted on to secure Jayden Daniels in the pocket. He had a relatively tough season in 2024, taking a ton of penalties, but at his best he is still an elite left tackle.
The 6-foot-5, 316-pound Tunsil is a massive addition to the offensive line, and one who will be relied upon heavily by Jayden Daniels this fall. Daniels’ ability to move around in the pocket and escape tight situations is impressive, but to protect his longevity, he needs to be able to stay in the pocket more often. Tunsil will provide that protection so that Daniels will feel less pressure to take off with the ball.
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Keeping Daniels healthy and on the field is how the Commanders will continue what they started, and Tunsil will be a big part of that this fall.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Outside of Jayden Daniels, who is Commanders’ most important player?