Monday Night Football brings another massive test for the Washington Commanders, who will once again line up without quarterback Jayden Daniels under center.
It’ll be Marcus Mariota calling the shots for the third time already this season. For Washington to hang around in what could turn into a shootout, the trenches will have to show up. That starts with rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., whose development has been one of the more intriguing storylines of the Commanders’ 2025 campaign thus far.
There have been ups and downs — as there always are for a first-year lineman — but Conerly’s athleticism and range have flashed consistently. He’s not just a big body at the edge of the formation; he’s a fluid mover who can climb to the second level, pull across the formation, and create angles in space that open up Washington’s ground game.
Commanders need Josh Conerly Jr. to continue his encouraging growth in Week 8
His ability to win A-to-B — that quick linear burst from his stance to engagement — is where he’s special. When Conerly gets his hands inside and plays with proper leverage, he can displace defenders and create running lanes that give the offense some much-needed rhythm.
A product of Oregon, Conerly's skill set will be vital against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that thrives on chaos.
Steve Spagnuolo’s group loves to disguise pressure and bring heat from multiple directions. Conerly can expect to see overloaded looks, stunts, and blitzes off his outside shoulder.
The rookie will see plenty of Chris Jones, who the Chiefs will bump outside — a player with the strength and veteran savvy to exploit any misstep —and George Karlaftis, a relentless sack artist who wins with power and leverage, very similar to old Commanders standout Ryan Kerrigan.
It’s a baptism by fire for the young tackle, but it’s also a significant opportunity to showcase why Washington spent first-round capital on him.
The Commanders won’t leave him on an island all game.
Expect Zach Ertz and John Bates to chip on the edge, especially on obvious passing downs. The goal of every offensive line is to avoid true isolation reps, and the Commanders understand the risk of letting Spagnuolo’s rushers tee off on their backup quarterback. Still, there will be moments where Conerly has to hold up one-on-one. How he fares in those moments could dictate how competitive the game stays.
In pass protection, Conerly’s quickness out of his stance and ability to mirror have shown growth each week. He’s learning to trust his feet, not overextend, and let his length work for him. If he can stay patient and anchor, Mariota will have just enough time to work through progressions and hit his eligibles downfield.
When taking the lens back, the bottom line remains that the Commanders’ defense hasn’t been able to stop much of anything in recent weeks, so the offense will need to do heavy lifting to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes.
That starts with giving Mariota clean pockets and keeping the run game alive — both areas where Conerly can make an impact.
If the rookie tackle can move bodies in the run game and hold firm against the Chiefs’ defensive front, he could quietly be the difference between another long night and a signature win for the Commanders in Week 8.