In a stunning development sending shockwaves throughout the NFL universe, the Washington Commanders have pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans to acquire five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. 

The trade, which was agreed upon on Monday afternoon, bolsters Washington's offensive line as they try to protect their quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and compete in the NFC East. Here's the full breakdown of the trade:

 

 

 

Commanders Strengthen Offensive Line With Elite Talent

The Commanders are making a statement with this trade, as they are bringing in one of the league's best offensive tackles to anchor their line. Tunsil, 30, has been a Texans fixture since arriving from the Miami Dolphins in a 2019 trade. 

A five-time Pro Bowl pick and among the NFL's top pass blockers, he immediately upgrades Washington's offense line. Paired with a 4th-round pick, this move shows the Commanders' eagerness to win now without forgoing too much draft capital.

Washington has been active this offseason, and this deal addresses a huge area of need. Keeping their quarterback, young signal-caller rookie sensation Jayden Daniel protected which has been an emphasis, and the addition of Tunsil provides stability and experience. 

His 2024 season with Houston included 17 regular-season starts and two playoff starts, which speaks to durability and elite-level performance. For a Commanders franchise looking to climb the NFC ranks, this is a franchise-altering addition.

 

 

 

Texans Turn Attention To Future Draft Capital

At the other end, the Texans are going in the opposite direction, trading away a key contributor to their offense line for a hefty haul of draft picks. Houston receives Washington's 2nd-round pick, a 2025 3rd-round pick, and a 2025 4th-round pick in return.

This trade appears to foreshadow a retooling phase for the Texans, who may be looking to rebuild or reallocate assets after a year in which they qualified for the playoffs but fell short of additional aspirations. Losing Tunsil is a blow to Houston's offensive line, a unit that has been a strength in protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The acquisition of draft capital—particularly the high-value 2nd- and 3rd-rounders—gives GM Nick Caserio flexibility to address a number of roster weaknesses in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans retain a 4th-round pick from Washington, trading essentially their own 4th-rounder in the deal, maintaining depth in their draft portfolio.

 

 

 

Impact & What’s Next

For Washington, this is a win-now move. Tunsil's contract goes through 2026, and the Commanders will get two full seasons of an elite left tackle on an affordable cap figure. If they combine him with their existing talent, it might send their offense to new heights, especially if Daniels keeps ascending on his trajectory. 

The inclusion of a 4th-round pick is icing on the cake, as it adds a chance to acquire depth or take a flyer on a developmental prospect. Houston, meanwhile, trades present-day stability for long-term upside. 

The Texans must rebuild their offensive line without Tunsil, but the draft picks provide a means to accomplish that and address other weaknesses. With Stroud still on his rookie deal, Houston has the ability to take a step back in 2025 with the aim of placing a more balanced roster around its young quarterback. This deal echoes throughout the NFL, altering the course of both teams. 

For the Commanders, this is an aggressive push for contention. For the Texans, this is a strategic shift towards the future. Watch as the ripple effects of this trade play out in the weeks to come.