The Washington Commanders’ offensive line has spent training camp under a bright spotlight, and not for the best reasons. Nick Allegretti, the guard-turned-center expected to step in for Tyler Biadasz, missed a big chunk of camp with a calf strain. Then Laremy Tunsil went down with a torn triceps, a season-ending injury that hit before the season even began.
Allegretti was back on the field this week, though the team is planning to ease him back in before Week 1. He did leave Wednesday’s practice early, adding another wrinkle to a position group already trying to steady itself.
With Tunsil out, Brandon Coleman has been handed the job at left tackle after starting there in 2024. All of that movement has only fueled more questions about the unit, but right guard Sam Cosmi isn’t backing away from the challenge.
“I can go down the line,” Cosmi says. "I’m excited for BC’s opportunity again to play at left tackle; I think he has all the measurables and athleticism to be very successful at that position.
Chris Paul is a monster. I know a lot of people; he’s an under-the-radar type thing.
Nicky’s very smart, very athletic. And then you have Josh (Conerly), who’s come into year two and is showing a big improvement in knowledge and technique, so I’m excited about our whole O-line.”
That confidence has become a theme around the Commanders. Inside the building, the message is the same: trust the coaching, learn the new faces, and keep grinding until everyone is on the same page.
The outside noise is there, and the questions aren’t going anywhere. But the Commanders have spent the offseason dealing with change, and now they have to carry that work into Week 1.
Mistakes will happen. Setbacks will happen.
Still, with the roster buying into what the coaches are selling, the belief inside the locker room is that there aren’t many hurdles this group can’t handle if it stays healthy.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]