NFL free agency is in full swing. Ever since the negotiation period officially kicked off on Monday, we have seen a wave of signings and trades. Some, like Milton Williams and Josh Sweat's departures, were more expected than others. One of the more surprising deals of the day involved an NFC East rival of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Washington Commanders traded a second-round, third-round, and a fourth-round pick in exchange for veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Texans additionally sent a fourth-rounder to the Commanders.
Tunsil, who will turn 31 before the start of the 2025 season, has a cap hit of $21.35 million for each of the next two years.
Trading a ton of draft capital for an aging offensive lineman is certainly a risky move. However, it is the type of move that teams are increasingly making nowadays.
One of the big reasons for that is the amount of success the Eagles have found investing in the trenches. GM Howie Roseman's calling card over the years has been focusing on the offensive and defensive line in free agency, with the idea being that is where games are won and lost.
The Eagles have one of the best offensive and defensive lines in the league, resulting in them lifting the Lombardi Trophy back in February. It is, therefore, not a coincidence that the Commanders, who lost to the Eagles in the NFC championship game, broke the bank for a left tackle.
Philadelphia's pass rush wreaked havoc throughout the postseason. Any team trying to contend in the NFC will have to face the reality that they must have an elite offensive line against Vic Fangio's aggressive scheme.
The Commanders understandably thought that they had to get a Pro Bowl-caliber blindside protector for Jayden Daniels. They had to massively overpay to get that player, proving once again that Howie Roseman and the Eagles live rent free in their opponents' heads entering free agency.