From the Seattle Seahawks signing Sam Darnold to the Las Vegas Raiders bringing in Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf, we’ve seen some big moves in the first few days of the 2025 NFL free agency. But which move stood out the most to the man breaking the news—Ian Rapoport?
Ian Rapoport Believes Washington Commanders Made the Biggest ‘Splash of Free Agency’
Rapoport called the Washington Commanders’ trade for Laremy Tunsil the biggest splash of free agency so far. He pointed out that the Commanders had a clear need to strengthen their offensive line, and after missing out on Jaylen Moore and Dan Moore, Tunsil was the best available option.
Thus, a blockbuster was born, sending the Houston Texans an assortment of picks for their star left tackle.
“They made a splash of free agency, bringing in Laremy Tunsil, who went from the Houston Texans to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a second-round pick.
“They were in need of a left tackle, they were in on Dan Moore, they were in on Jaylen Moore, didn’t end up getting. When they found out that they were not getting them, they turned to Tunsil.
“They can build around Daniels, they can spend all the money doing, they can spend all the capital doing it,” he concluded.
Washington received Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-round pick from Houston in exchange for a 2025 third- and seventh-round pick, as well as a second- and fourth-round pick in 2026.
Full trade terms:
🏈Commanders get:
OT Laremy Tunsil
2025 Fourth-round pick🏈Texans get:
2025 Third-round pick
2025 Seventh-round pick
2026 Second-round pick
2026 Fourth-round pick https://t.co/KI74vN9dqU— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025
It’s a steep price for Washington, but Tunsil’s production is undeniable. For a team that ranked middle of the pack in pressure rate last season, adding Tunsil allows them to move rookie Brandon Coleman back to his natural right tackle position.
Ben Rolfe of PFSN backed the move from Washington’s perspective. “Adding Laremy Tunsil at left tackle only serves to boost the Washington offensive line. With Tunsil, this unit should remain a top-10 group in 2025 and could easily finish the year inside the top five,” he wrote.
Coleman, who was a solid starter for the Commanders last season, allowed a 6.6% pressure rate. However, that number is significantly higher than Tunsil’s 3.0%, which ranked second-best in the league.
MORE: PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agents
While Tunsil’s tendency to rack up penalties has been a concern—he led the league with 17 last season and has 59 total over six years—his talent is undeniable. If Kliff Kingsbury’s offense can clean up his false start issues, he could elevate the unit and help make the Commanders a perennial playoff and Super Bowl contender.
Washington also re-signed Bobby Wagner, Tress Way and Zach Ertz while adding WR Deebo Samuel Sr., and agreed to terms with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and safety Will Harris in the opening days of the offseason.