The Washington Commanders have confirmed three offensive line starters for the next season: Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Sam Cosmi at right guard, and Josh Conerly Jr. at right tackle. The interior line, however, may see changes after the release of center Tyler Biadasz. With over $70 million in cap space, the team is likely to reinforce the interior, especially with the starting left guard expected to enter free agency.
Chris Paul Emerges as a Reliable Starter During 2025 Season
Chris Paul, a former seventh-round selection, finished the last year of his rookie deal and is set to become a free agent in March. Entering his fourth season, Paul started as the backup left guard behind Brandon Coleman but eventually took over, starting the final 15 games and participating in 88% of offensive snaps. His pass-blocking performance stood out, as he allowed only a 3.18% pressure rate, ranking fifth among all qualified left guards, though his run blocking leaves room for improvement.
Analyst Daniel Rotman highlighted the top guard pressure rates during the 2025 regular season, listing Paul just behind Bears’ LG J. Thuney (2.19%), Panthers’ D. Lewis (2.20%), and Colts’ Q. Nelson (2.35%).
Guard (LG & RG) Pressure Rate (%):
1. #Bears LG J. Thuney (2.19%)
2. #Panthers D. Lewis (2.20%)
3. #Colts Q. Nelson (2.35%)
4. Full list below…
2025 Regular Season pic.twitter.com/DQYCytrGF9
— Daniel Rotman (@daniel_rotman15) February 19, 2026
Experts Identify Chris Paul as a Noteworthy Free Agent Prospect
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has identified several sleeper free agents expected to attract notable interest in the March free agency period, including Chris Paul. Fowler emphasized Paul’s “powerful style of play” and pointed out that experienced starting guards typically command significant contracts.
“Every year, we comb the free agent market to identify players who might do better than fans or the media expect. These aren’t marquee players, but they have enough interest to drive up contract prices to varying degrees,” Fowler said.
“Commanders offensive guard Chris Paul: He had 15 starts last season with a powerful style of play; starting guards with a pulse get paid.”
According to Spotrac projections, Paul could secure a two-year deal worth $9.4 million, reflecting his value as a starting guard with potential for growth.
Implications for the Commanders’ 2026 Roster and Salary Cap
As the Commanders approach the 2026 season with considerable salary cap space, decisions around the interior offensive line will be crucial. Retaining Chris Paul could provide stability in the left guard position while the team searches for complementary upgrades. His emerging role and recognized potential make him a candidate to secure a meaningful contract as a sleeper free agent, influencing both the team’s immediate protection schemes and long-term offensive performance.
Guard (LG & RG) Pressure Rate (%):
1. #Bears LG J. Thuney (2.19%)
2. #Panthers D. Lewis (2.20%)
3. #Colts Q. Nelson (2.35%)
4. Full list below…2025 Regular Season pic.twitter.com/DQYCytrGF9
— Daniel Rotman (@daniel_rotman15) February 19, 2026
