Tunsil, a nine-year veteran, was No. 10 in ESPN’s 2024 pass-block win rate rankings. Per Pro Football Focus data, he allowed four sacks and 23 total pressures in 707 pass-blocking situations. Between the ferocious Eagles pass-rush, Giants edge Brian Burns and Cowboys edge Micah Parsons, Washington has no shortage of difficult divisional matchups in the trenches. Adding Tunsil will make Daniels’ life easier while keeping the Commanders in the Super Bowl conversation.
The proposed trade also overshadowed the questionable three-year, $45 million contract the Commanders agreed to with free-agent defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, a former first-round pick for the 49ers who failed to make much of a positive contribution in his lone season with the Jets in 2024.
Loser: San Francisco 49ers
On the unofficial start of free agency, the 49ers lost (deep breath) guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, offensive tackle Jaylon Moore, running back Elijah Mitchell and quarterback Joshua Dobbs. (h/t ESPN’s Field Yates).
Later, the team informed All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk he was being released.
With the Niners bracing for starting quarterback Brock Purdy’s extension, it was always likely that they wouldn’t be able to keep their entire core. But losing so many pieces, including Samuel in the projected Commanders trade, is potentially devastating.
Purdy has been elevated by his teammates in his first three seasons, but he’ll be required to bring out the most in his teammates in 2025.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For the second offseason in a row, the Bucs took care of their own. On Monday, Tampa agreed to terms on a three-year, $66 million deal with wide receiver Chris Godwin, keeping him with the only NFL franchise he’s called home since being drafted in 2017. Per NFL Pro data, Godwin, who suffered a season-ending lower leg injury in Week 9, led the league in yards after catch per game (52.1) last season. Paired with Mike Evans, he gives Tampa Bay one of the league’s best wide receiver tandems. The duo will continue wrecking secondaries thanks to the front office’s wise investment.
Loser: Atlanta Falcons
The only peep we heard about the Falcons was that they lost four-year starting center Drew Dalman, who agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears. Dalman had blossomed into a quality starter, establishing himself as one of the league’s top run-blocking centers. He would have been a valuable asset for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., entering his first offseason as Atlanta’s QB1.
The Falcons also could have addressed their defensive line, but with only $9.6 million in cap space, they couldn’t afford top players in this year’s free-agent class, including defensive tackle Milton Williams and defensive end Josh Sweat.
Winner: Chicago Bears
Chicago continued to revamp its offensive line by agreeing to add Dalman. Earlier this offseason, the Bears agreed to trades for Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and Rams guard Jonah Jackson. Chicago is making a conscientious effort to protect 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who was sacked an NFL-high 68 times last season. The 2025 league year hasn’t even begun and the Bears have already passed their biggest offseason test.
Loser: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks got worse at quarterback. Sam Darnold, who agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks, is a downgrade from Geno Smith, traded in principle to the Raiders on Friday. The most glaring concern is how Darnold will handle a likely increase in pressure behind a weak Seattle offensive line.
Darnold also benefited from throwing to the NFL’s best wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, in Minnesota. Rising third-year Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba is talented, but after parting with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, Darnold lacks substantial premium weapons in Seattle. The Seahawks have missed the playoffs two years in a row, and they’ve laid the groundwork to continue their drought with a questionable start to free agency.
Winner: Quarterback Justin Fields
We still have doubts about Fields’ viability as a franchise quarterback, but he’s at least worth giving the chance. Is he worth his two-year, $40 million price tag? Maybe not. But he was also worth more than the sixth-round pick the Bears traded him to the Steelers for last March. Fields’ true value lies somewhere in between.
Perhaps Fields will be a natural fit for the culture Jets first-year head coach Aaron Glenn is building. Even if he’s not, he made the most of a weak quarterback market with a substantial payday. That’s a win in our books.
Loser: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
It’s telling that Rodgers, a former four-time MVP, is still available while Darnold and Fields have found 2025 homes. His tepid market as a first-time free agent suggests teams aren’t interested in handing the keys to their offense to a 41-year-old who spends more time spouting conspiracy theories than winning games these days.
Front offices are wisely skeptical of Rodgers at this point in his career. He’ll likely land somewhere, but is nowhere near as desirable as he once was.
