The Washington Commanders received better-than-expected play from their offensive line last season. However, the cracks began to show as the season progressed, especially in the running game. Unlike the previous regime, general manager Adam Peters wouldn’t ignore upgrading the unit this offseason.
Peters made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, acquiring five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. The Commanders sent four picks to the Texans — none in the first round — and received Tunsil and a fourth-rounder in return. Washington acquired Tunsil’s contract, which has two years remaining at a reasonable rate.
The move allowed the Commanders to move last season’s left tackle, Brandon Coleman, to right tackle. So, Washington essentially improved two positions with one move.
But Peters wasn’t done.
In the 2025 NFL draft, resisting temptations to trade back and acquire more selections, Peters stood pat and selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. During the draft, Washington’s social media team revealed how offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury left a note on Peters’ desk to “take Oregon tackle.”
Not only did Washington have the chance to trade back, but multiple teams reportedly wanted to move up to take Conerly. He was the Commanders’ guy all along.
Peters joined the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday and explained why he chose Tunsil and Conerly.
“It was both, really. I think, in the offseason, when we had the opportunity to get Tunsil, which doesn’t come around that often to get a blue-chip left tackle, one of the best tackles in the league, so we felt that was an opportunity we didn’t want to pass up,” Peters responded when McAfee asked him if acquiring both tackles was done with the intent to protect franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, or just because Washington couldn’t believe Tunsil was available.
“We want to protect Jayden, he’s the cornerstone of our franchise, and we want to make sure we’re protecting him,” he said.
Peters then turned to Kingsbury’s letter and why Conerly was the guy.
“We really wanted Conerly. That letter was cool because, you know, Kliff, he’s a tireless worker, it’s unbelievable how much he works. And as he’s doing draft prep, he’s also watching college teams for different plays and different schemes he can learn from, so he can implement them into what we do. And he watched a lot of Oregon, so he said, ‘I watched every single snap of Oregon,’ and he usually just watches the skill guys, the quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, running backs, so he left that note on my desk. He came by to say what’s up and just wrote that down and left it on my desk, so I thought, ‘If Kliff wants this guy, then I’m good.'”
“Laremy Tunsil is one of the best left tackles in the league and we didn’t wanna pass up that opportunity..
We got that done and we really wanted Josh Conerly Jr..
Kliff Kingsbury left that note on my desk and if he wants this guy I’m good” ~ Adam Peters #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/JDnEwkQ8bK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 6, 2025
There were some crazy narratives surrounding Kingsbury before he landed in Washington. And in one year, Kingsbury has crushed all of those foolish narratives. Despite being fired from his first NFL head coaching job after four seasons, Kingsbury quickly established himself as a top head coaching contender again, but chose to return to the Commanders for another season.
It’s been a busy offseason for Peters. Wisely, he continued investing in his star quarterback by beefing up the offensive line and adding more playmakers.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders GM talks beefed-up offensive line
