When the Washington Commanders permanently moved Sam Cosmi from right tackle to right guard before the 2023 season, it changed the trajectory of his career. The Commanders selected Cosmi with a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and while he excelled at tackle, it’s clear his future lies inside.
In 2023, Cosmi started at right back in all 17 games. After a disastrous season, Washington fired head coach and general manager Ron Rivera and hired Adam Peters as new general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach. The Commanders hadn’t even played a game before the new regime realized Cosmi was a big part of the team’s future and signed him to a four-year, $74 million extension before the first week of the 2024 season.
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In 2024, Cosmi started again for Washington. Unfortunately, Cosmi tore his ACL during the Commanders’ NFC Divisional Round victory over the Detroit Lions. This is a heavy blow to Cosmi and Washington. Even more disappointing is that it will sideline Cosmi for the entire offseason and keep him out for the start of 2025.
Cosmi is indeed back and picking up right where he left off. His first game came in Week 7 against Dallas. Cosmi suffered a concussion in a Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington ended his season rather than have him back for the final two weeks.
In 2025, Cosmi played a total of nine games for the Commanders. How is his performance? Pro Football Focus gave Cosmi an overall grade of 76.3 for the 2025 season. He’s the 10th-ranked back in the NFL, and he’s equally impressive as a run-blocker and pass protector.
PFF recently named a “secret superstar” to all 32 NFL teams. Essentially, a “secret superstar” is every team’s most underrated impact player. Cosmi is Washington’s choice.
Cosmi returned from a torn ACL late last season to become one of Washington’s most consistent players in the 2025 class. He ended up being the team’s third-highest offensive grader (76.4), with grades above 72.0 in both pass-blocking and run-blocking categories. Cosmi allowed just 11 pressures and two sacks this season and ended the year with no pressure in six straight games.
In 2025, commanders encountered many problems. They were plagued by injuries. Going forward, however, Washington’s offensive line is more than just a strength of the team; It has the potential to be one of the NFL’s top units in 2026 and beyond.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commander: Who is the Secret Superstar of 2025?