Brandon Coleman’s rookie season hasn’t exactly unfolded the way the Washington Commanders-or Coleman himself-might’ve envisioned. After earning the starting left guard spot out of training camp, the 2024 third-round pick quickly found himself on the outside looking in. But as it turns out, there’s more to the story than just on-field performance.
Let’s rewind a bit. Coleman came into the league as a tackle, but the Commanders’ aggressive offseason move to acquire Laremy Tunsil shifted the depth chart dramatically.
With Tunsil locking down the left tackle spot, Coleman was kicked inside to left guard. Not the ideal transition for a rookie, but to his credit, he adapted well enough in camp to win the job.
That momentum didn’t last long. Early in the season, Coleman struggled to assert himself, and Washington made the switch to Chris Paul. Since then, Coleman’s been mostly a spectator-until Week 15, when Tunsil went down against the Giants and Coleman was called back into action.
And here’s where things get interesting.
According to Lynnell Willingham of The Team 980, Coleman’s benching wasn’t solely about performance. Sources told Willingham that Coleman had been playing through a lingering injury that affected his play strength-something that’s critical for any offensive lineman, especially one making a position switch. The team reportedly decided to give him time to heal, and in the meantime, Paul stepped in and thrived.
That context matters. A lot.
Coleman’s return to the field in Week 15 was a quiet redemption. Thrust into action mid-game, he held his own.
He looked healthier, more stable, and more confident in his technique. No one’s saying he was flawless, but he certainly didn’t look like a liability.
And that’s a big step forward for a young lineman who’s been working behind the scenes for most of the year.
The reality now is this: Chris Paul has earned his spot, and with Tunsil expected back for Week 16 against the Eagles, Coleman is likely headed back to a reserve role. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it might be the best-case scenario for both the player and the team.
Because if Paul hits free agency and doesn’t return, Washington has a young, versatile lineman in Coleman who’s already shown he can step in and compete. And even if Paul does re-sign, Coleman’s value as a swing lineman-someone who can plug in at guard or tackle in a pinch-is the kind of depth every offensive line needs over a 17-game season.
So no, Coleman’s not a bust. He’s a rookie who got thrown into a tough spot, battled through an injury, and is now showing signs of life when given the chance.
That’s the kind of resilience teams look for. And while his long-term role in Washington is still to be determined, this latest chapter suggests he’s far from done writing his NFL story.