The Washington Commanders have received devastating news on Saturday with left tackle Laremy Tunsil tearing his pec, an injury that will likely keep him out for a significant portion, if not all, of the upcoming 2026 season.
The Commanders have a giant-sized hole to fill at one of the NFL's premium positions, a spot that Tunsil, the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, had solidified in his short time with the team. Washington traded for Tunsil in March 2025, and he was so good that the Commanders gave him a two-year extension of an average annual value of over $30 million per season.
The solution to this problem might already be on the roster. Brandon Coleman, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, played 16 games as a rookie, all at left tackle, and started 12 games. Washington went 12-5 with Coleman playing left tackle and Jayden Daniels at quarterback.
Coleman settled in at left guard, starting the first two games last season before he was benched. However, when Tunsil was injured late in the season, Coleman went back to left tackle and started the final three games. He played well, with Pro Football Focus grading him at 79.1 and 82, respectively, in pass protection.
Coleman's run blocking is solid, and Washington will employ zone blocking in 2026 under new offensive coordinator David Blough, which is a positive for Coleman due to his athleticism. While no player can replace someone of Tunsil's credentials, Washington is fortunate to have Coleman.
There was some talk on social media that the Commanders could move Josh Conerly Jr. to left tackle. However, that would be a bad idea. Conerly was settling in at right tackle last season and has had a strong offseason. It makes the most sense to keep Conerly at right tackle and slide Coleman over to left tackle.
The Commanders will likely turn to Coleman to fill the void left by Tunsil's injury. The team will need to adjust its game plan to accommodate Coleman's skills, but with his experience playing left tackle, it seems like the most logical solution to the problem.
Source: Yahoo Sports