The Washington Commanders has been working with the 2025 NFL Draft class as they young fellas are hitting the classroom and hitting the field in preparation to begin their journey.
After head coach Dan Quinn and the franchise making a big splash last season with a push to the NFC title game, more moves were made to help the roster bulk up and what they hope will be another deep playoff run.
One such move was to draft left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. to help protect prized QB Jayden Daniels and solve some of those infamous sack problems from his rookie season in 2024.
The first-rounder from Oregon made his intentions rather clear at minicamp, saying, "Really just get out here and work. Smaller group of guys, so get to know them as best as I can and then obviously just take all the coaching that I can, absorb that, and put it into my play."
But there is another part of the plan: Getting signed.
And at week's end, that is done, as they Commanders have agreed to terms with first-round pick Conerly.
The offensive tackle, projected as a rookie starter if all goes well, will receive a four-year, $15.68 million contract.
The Commanders took Conerly with the 29th overall pick even after trading for Houston Texans standout Laremy Tunsil. The plan now? Tunsil will start at left tackle, with Conerly penciled in at right tackle.
Conerly will learn from the coaching staff, but with five-time Pro Bowl tackle here, too, there is another teacher in the O-line room.
And now that the paperwork is done? It's time to "absorb.''