Latest news with #LaremyTunsil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kingsbury Previews Samuel's Impact on Commanders
Kingsbury Previews Samuel's Impact on Commanders originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2024, the Washington Commanders learned that they had a franchise quarterback on their hands. Jayden Daniels is a superstar, and his ascension into a Super Bowl-caliber passer has the potential to change the fortune of the franchise for over a decade. Advertisement Helping him get there is offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and a supporting cast that improved during the offseason. Credit to Washington for acknowledging what it has under center and being aggressive in taking advantage of it. The team traded for veteran receiver Deebo Samuel and Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, insulating the unit with known quantities. Samuel, specifically, has a unique opportunity to elevate the offense given the perceived weakness behind Terry McLaurin on the depth chart. On Thursday, Kingsbury previewed the impact of Samuel on the Commanders' offense. "Yeah, both tremendous players. Terry taking the top off, doing the things he does with his route tree, outside, always scares defenses. And then Deebo, just the myriad of ways you can use him, the touches you can get, he's hard to tackle, that firsthand space rarely gets him down," he told reporters. "And so just finding ways that he can continue to impact our offense and still get those other guys to football." Advertisement Samuel is an upgrade, albeit a risky one given his age, durability, and potential decline. He was at his best as a hybrid running back/receiver, but those days may be behind him. What he demands, though, is targets. And with so many of Washington's targets returning in 2025, that means everyone's slice of the pie is bound to get a little smaller. "Yeah, I've never had a great player that didn't want the ball and so that kind of comes with the territory," he said. "But that's one thing I think that DQ [Dan Quinn] has created where it's the team above anything else. And these guys that had their success last year and got their touches, they know bringing Deebo in, there's going to be less, but we're going to be better. 'And I think when they're able to sacrifice for that and understand that the ultimate goal is winning, then it all works itself out. But you want those guys, I mean, I'll get cussed out a few games, but it just comes with the territory. You'd rather have really good players cussing you out, than bad players cussing you out." Advertisement Ultimately, Daniels has the talent to fix any target-based issue. He's the rising tide that lifts all boats, and if Samuel is opening things up for McLaurin and his co-stars, there should be more than enough opportunities to satisfy him. Further, winning cures all, and Washington has a real chance to play meaningful football deep into January. Last season, the Commanders were playing with house money. Armed with a more talented, and expensive, roster, the clock is officially ticking on the Super Bowl window. Related: Oddsmakers Say Commanders Closing Gap On Eagles Related: Analyst Questions If Commanders Defense Got Better in Offseason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Commanders trade for Laremy Tunsil ranks as best offseason move for franchise
The Washington Commanders made some solid moves during free agency and added some promising new faces through the 2025 NFL draft. Adam Peters is in his second year as general manager, and he's proving that all of the time he spent working as a scout and in player personnel departments was worth it. One of the biggest moves the Commanders made this offseason was trading for offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil previously played for the Houston Texans, but orchestrated his own trade, acting as his own agent, and now the veteran will don burgundy and gold this fall. That trade was highly praised throughout the NFL, and The Athletic's Mike Sando says it's his favorite move by the Commanders. Acquiring Laremy Tunsil from Houston could solve the Commanders' left tackle position through quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract and beyond. Tunsil, who turns 31 in August, has earned Pro Bowl honors five times in the past six seasons. He's younger than left tackles Duane Brown and Trent Williams were when Seattle and San Francisco acquired them, respectively. Brown and Williams were solid through their age-36 seasons. This could be a very good move if Tunsil holds up similarly. In 2024, only five quarterbacks were sacked more than Jayden Daniels. He took 47 sacks despite his ability to escape the pocket, so one can only imagine what that number would have been if he weren't mobile. Caleb Williams was sacked the most (68), followed by C.J. Stroud (52), Geno Smith (50), and Joe Burrow and Sam Darnold both were sacked 48 times. While Daniels has the ability to run, and he's quite good at it, the Commanders know that for his longevity, he needs to remain in the pocket more often. He's never going to stay there, nor would anyone want him to change how he plays, but as a professional, he needs to understand that an adjustment to his play has already started. Tunsil was, indeed, a fantastic addition to the Commanders. He makes the offensive line better, brings veteran leadership to that line, and has a track record of success in protecting the quarterback's blind side.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders sign first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. to fully guaranteed deal
When the Washington Commanders open training camp in July, rookie offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. will be there. On Friday, the No. 29 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft signed his rookie contract, a four-year deal worth $15.68 million. The contract is fully guaranteed. Conerly played three seasons at Oregon and was the Ducks' left tackle over the last two seasons. In those two seasons, Conerly allowed only two sacks in over 1,000 pass blocking snaps. He's expected to start at right tackle, but could also be Washington's left guard. The Commanders acquired five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to play the left side. Advertisement Conerly will likely compete with last year's starting right tackle, Andrew Wylie, and last year's left tackle, Brandon Coleman, to start on the right side. Coleman and Wylie can also play guard, and Washington could shift Wylie to right guard until Sam Cosmi returns from knee surgery. Conerly's signing means four of the Commanders' five draft picks are under contract. Only second-round cornerback Trey Amos remains unsigned. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders sign rookie OT Josh Conerly to fully guaranteed deal
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Win-Now Mentality Solidifies 1 Major Area
If there was any doubt of the Washington Commanders plans past Year 1 of the Jayden Daniels era, those have now been put to rest with this offseason. Move after move, Washington has set the tone of a team looking to become a consistent winner This plan centers on capitalizing on Daniels' rookie contract years. Their franchise quarterback will not be a cheap asset past the next few years, so the Commanders have some urgency to beef up the roster now before that pay day comes. Advertisement Washington's trade for Deebo Samuel exemplified that mentality with the team showing aggression to nail down the No. 2 receiver spot. However, it may have been a similar move that left a more resounding impact. The Commanders also traded for Laremy Tunsil, upgrading an offensive line that needed some adjustments after last season. That followed with the team's selection of Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the draft, adding a piece with some pedigree to this unit. Those two moves helped the Commanders earn recognition from PFF as one of the most improved line across the league, as noted by Andrew Ites. "While Tunsil did struggle with penalties in 2024, he should bring some much-needed stability to the Commanders' offensive line for at least the next two seasons," he wrote of the veteran. Advertisement "Washington is betting that Josh Conerly Jr. can hold up at tackle in the NFL, but he may project better as a guard. Either way, the Commanders are getting a good athlete who earned a 78.1 PFF grade on true pass sets last season." Offensively, the Commanders have a strong ground game, dangerous receivers and a quarterback that makes it all ago. But none of this works with out the offensive line. To get Kliff Kingsbury's offense operating at maximum efficiency, this unit needed some major upgrades. There is no doubt Washington delivered. And this all stems back to helping Daniels be successful. The Commanders want their young quarterback fighting through any struggles and learning through mistakes. Advertisement But those processes are far less daunting with a support system, and a front five, as strong as the one he has now. Related: Commanders Trade Rumor Links Ravens' Bateman in Jayden 'Window' Related: Commanders Schedule Release Shows There's No Hiding Anymore
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Schedule Features Key Late Stretch
With the NFL schedule now out, teams are working out when and where they will play in 2025, and for the Washington Commanders, the road back to the playoffs has been opened up. Many are predicting the Commanders to again have a successful season with the improvement from Daniels, coupled with the offseason additions of Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, this team feels poised to strike again. Advertisement But the schedule hasn't made things easy for Washington, and while many are positive (rightly so) about the team's chances of not only making the playoffs, but potentially winning it all, there is a chance that it all ends before it begins. As ESPN's John Keim writes, one key stretch of games against playoff-claiber teams could make or break Washington's season. "Washington finishes the regular season with four consecutive NFC East games -- two vs. the Eagles in three weeks in addition playing at the Giants and home vs. Dallas," Keim writes. "If the Commanders need to make up ground, they can do it here. And then you can stretch it out another week because their finish begins with a road game at Minnesota. That means they'll play three games vs. teams that made the postseason in 2024 -- two of which are against the Super Bowl champion. Heck, the Commanders play Denver, another playoff team, the week before Minnesota." Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5).© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images So, if the Commanders aren't able to bank wins early in the year, then playing catch-up in the later months might be a tough proposition. Advertisement That's not to say Washington doesn't have the talent to do so, because they do, but the last thing the franchise will want is for its season to come down to the last three games of the year (two vs. Eagles, one vs. Cowboys) in order for it to make the playoffs. So it is a defining stretch late in the season that could determine how successful or not Daniels and Co. are in Year 2. Related: Commanders Dan Quinn Praises General Manager Related: Commanders Reveal Plan For International Schedule
