After three games, some folks believed the Washington Commanders should bench rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. It wasn’t because anyone was down on Conerly as a prospect, but because quarterback Jayden Daniels had taken too many hits. Conerly was having pass protection issues at right tackle.
Washington coaches weren’t concerned about Conerly. Why? In his first three starts, Conerly lined up opposite Brian Burns (Giants), Micah Parsons (Packers) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders). It doesn’t get much more difficult than that for a Pro Bowl tackle, much less a rookie.
Conerly had his moments in those games. He struggled, sometimes more than others, but that gauntlet to start his career may prove to be the best thing for the first-round pick from Oregon. Over the last three games, Conerly has been quiet, while the Commanders have produced big rushing numbers and Washington quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Daniels have taken only four sacks.
The Commanders’ patience with Conerly appears to have paid off. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has certainly seen Conerly’s growth.
“He just continues to improve as well,” Kingsbury said on Thursday. “We talked about the stretch he had to open his career there at right tackle was kind of a Murderers Row of some of the top pass rushers in the NFL. And so, I think he learned a lot from that. And the more he plays, the better he is going to get. He’s another guy who, he’s very conscientious, comes from a great program that [University of] Oregon was really well coached, knows how to study film, knows how to prepare, and so those things as the season goes on, he’s going to have his ups and downs, but he’ll continue to get better.”
Kingsbury is correct. Conerly is still a rookie, and there will still be struggles. But if he can make it through that first stretch, playing well and with confidence, the sky is the limit for Conerly.
In more positive offensive line news, Sam Cosmi could return this week at right guard, which would be great news for Conerly.
“I think anytime you have a veteran guy next to you can help, you know, I mean, it’s a guy that’s been through it and plays at a high level like Sam,” Kingsbury said. “I think any tackle in the league would be happy to have him next to him.”
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil has also proved to be an outstanding mentor for Conerly.
Washington may have had only five picks in the 2025 NFL draft, but the hit rate appears high, at least through five weeks.
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