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It sounds like the Commanders' key position change is working well so far and it can lead to huge things if it keeps up

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Evan Winter | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 1:26 PM ET

The Washington Commanders offensive line is in much, much better shape than it was at this point last year, but Dan Quinn and Co. are still finding the answers to some questions up front during mandatory minicamp.

One said answer is whether or not Brandon Coleman can successfully shift from playing tackle in 2024 to playing guard in 2025 and beyond. It's one of the bigger storylines of the Commanders' offseason and it sounds like the transition is off to a good start.

"Really, coming into it, because he had good versatility coming out of TCU, the move inside, he was ready to begin that process early," Dan Quinn told reporters ahead of Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice. "So it started prior to him even getting to the offseason program - in his training working on different sets to do that. He's a rare guy, because he's got this the width and the bulk to play inside, but the athleticism to play outside. He's really locked in on the techniques that it'll take.

"So for the big guys, they don't get to fully express that until the training camp, just by the nature of their positions. But he's done an excellent job of getting just the timing and the footwork and the sets in that he can."

LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media before Day 1 of minicamp https://t.co/I9a5qJhzVb
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 10, 2025

Coleman's position switch stems from the Laremy Tunsil trade that went back down in March and the decision to draft Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th overall pick in the past draft. Nick Allegretti is the Commanders' current starter at left guard and stalwart Sam Cosmi has the right guard job locked down, but he's recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the postseason. So, it'll be interesting to see where Coleman slots in at guard as the summer progresses.

Tunsil will take over at left tackle, where Coleman played last year, and Conerly Jr. will compete with Andrew Wylie for the starting right tackle job. Coleman isn't thrown into that mix because it's a win-win for the Commanders regardless of who wins: Both players could become the team's swing tackle thanks to their experience of playing both left and right tackle (with Conerly Jr. learning how this offseason).

Like Quinn says, we won't know for sure until the pads come one, but if Coleman becomes an effective guard then the Commanders offensive line is set in both the short and long term. And, most importantly, their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels will have top-end protection, allowing him to continue to take the league by storm as he continues his career in Washington.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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