ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders have extended the contract of experienced guard Sam Cosmi for four years, thereby taking care of one of the few successful draft picks of the last four years.

The contract is worth up to $74 million, with more than $45 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Cosmi, a 2021 second-round pick out of Texas, was drafted as a right tackle but switched to guard before the 2023 season and was considered their best lineman.

Cosmi is the first player to receive a contract extension. He would have been a free agent after this season. “To get this deal done before the season is good business,” said Washington coach Dan Quinn. “He is a commander through and through. He is tough, plays honestly and is strong. He will be an anchor on the inside for years to come.”

General manager Adam Peters called Cosmi a “pillar of the team” and a “great leader” in a statement. Quinn, who praised Cosmi’s move inside, said Cosmi’s presence inside is good for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“That kind of toughness is great,” Quinn said. “For Jayden, it’s the ability to have space in the pocket. He’s an athlete that can pull and move in our system. That’s important. For him to not last the season and then become a free agent is a big deal for us. The move from tackle to guard freed up some things there.”