What did Bobby Johnson have to say about the Commanders ‘ OTAs this past week?
Many in the fan base might not even be aware of just who Johnson is. Johnson is the offensive line coach hired to work for and with Dan Quinn. Johnson thus is entering his second season with the Commanders on Quinn’s offensive coaching staff.
As for the identity of the Commanders’ offensive line, Johnson says first, “That changes year to year, because your roster changes year to year. We’ve gotten new guys in, guys we’ve kept. We’ve got competition. We’ve got Laremy (Tunsil), Josh (Conerly), Nate Herbig.”
Indeed, all three of those are new additions to the 2025 Commanders. Tunsil and Conerly are expected to be the new starting offensive tackles, and Herbig (age 26) has started 30 NFL games, being brought in by GM Adam Peters to compete and strengthen the line at guard.
Johnson then mentioned, “We’ve got guys like Trent Scott who have been here, and he ended up starting at the very end, the peak of the season.” Yes, when right guard Sam Cosmi went down in the second-round playoff win over the Lions, Johnson determined Scott was the best reserve lineman, so he moved him from tackle to start at guard in the NFC Championship game against the Eagles.
Johnson likes what he sees thus far in the chemistry of the offensive lineman during the OTAs. “I think they are about the right things. I think we are going to continue to see the elevation of what we pride ourselves in as an organization. Like competing, being the hunters, being tough and resilient, coming up big-time in winning moments.”
Not mentioned by Johnson but certainly not forgotten is 2024 third-round choice Brandon Coleman. He started at left tackle most of the season, but is now listed as a tackle. So it will be interesting to see if Conerly is ready to start immediately and if the Commanders will use Coleman as a swing tackle, or might they even move him inside to guard.
Left guard Nick Allegretti returns as well, and the Commanders still have Andrew Wiley, who has started the last two seasons at right tackle. It’s possible he could move inside and start in Cosmi’s absence as he recovers from his torn ACL last January.
“After 15 years in the NFL and 30 overall, I’ve found a way to find the fun in everything,” insisted Johnson. “The O-Line coaches, myself, Darnell Stapleton and Shane Toub, the big thing we try to do is find solutions. You can get bogged down looking at all of the problems. What are the solutions?”
Johnson said it is fun to watch his players grow not only individually but also in how they learn to play together as a unit.
Yes, the offensive line is certainly going to have a different look this season, and there is more depth as well. Johnson will be working hard to form a unit that protects Jayden Daniels more effectively and generates more of a power running game in the second half of the season.
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