Sam Cosmi Bio
Samuel Cosmi (born February 16, 1999) is an American professional football guard for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 310 pounds, he plays on the offensive line and has developed into a durable starter since entering the league.
Cosmi played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he earned All-American and All-Big 12 recognition before being selected by the Washington Football Team in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has remained with the Washington organization throughout his professional career and signed a major contract extension in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Cosmi was born in Humble, Texas, on February 16, 1999. He grew up in the Humble area and attended Atascocita High School in Harris County, where he played high school football. His parents immigrated from Romania to the United States in the early 1980s, giving him a family background rooted in Eastern European heritage.
At Atascocita High School, Cosmi developed into a promising offensive lineman and earned first-team All-District 21-6A honors as a senior, along with second-team 6A All-State recognition. Although he was rated as a three-star recruit, his size and athleticism drew attention from several college programs.
Cosmi originally committed to play college football at the University of Houston, holding offers from programs including Texas Christian University and the University of Memphis. When Houston head coach Tom Herman left to take the head coaching job at the University of Texas, Cosmi flipped his commitment and signed with the Texas Longhorns instead.
Path to American Football
Cosmi redshirted his freshman season at Texas, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the strength and conditioning demands of Big 12 Conference football. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 14 games for the Longhorns and started the final 13 contests at right tackle. His play earned him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition from the conference coaches.
During that freshman season, Cosmi helped Texas reach the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game and then upset the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2019 Sugar Bowl. He returned the following year as a redshirt sophomore and started all 13 games, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors and an Offensive Lineman of the Year Honorable Mention. The Longhorns closed that season by winning the Alamo Bowl and finishing ranked in the top 25 nationally.
In a 2019 game against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Cosmi caught a lateral from quarterback Sam Ehlinger and ran 12 yards for a touchdown. The play set the record for the longest touchdown run by an offensive lineman in Big 12 history. Cosmi considered entering the 2020 NFL Draft but returned to Texas for his redshirt junior season to further refine his skills.
Sam Cosmi Career
Early Career (2021)
The Washington Football Team selected Cosmi in the second round, 51st overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and entered training camp competing for a starting role on the offensive line. By the end of camp, he had earned the starting right tackle position.
Cosmi made his professional debut in the opening game of the 2021 season. His rookie year was interrupted by injuries, including an ankle injury in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints and a hip injury in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers that led to a stint on injured reserve. He finished the season having played in nine games, all of which he started.
Washington Commanders Breakthrough (2022-2023)
In 2022, Cosmi underwent thumb surgery following Week 4 and missed three games before returning with a protective club on his hand. The coaching staff moved him into a reserve role at right tackle during his recovery, and he later started at right guard against the New York Giants in Week 13 before exiting with an ankle injury. He played in 14 games that season, starting six and logging more than half of the team’s offensive snaps.
The 2023 season marked a breakthrough in durability and consistency. Cosmi remained at right guard and started all 17 games, playing nearly 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. His full-season availability helped stabilize the interior of Washington’s offensive line and established him as a long-term building block for the franchise.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
On September 4, 2024, Cosmi signed a four-year contract extension with Washington worth $74 million, including $45 million in guaranteed money. The deal reflected his growth into one of the team’s most reliable offensive linemen and secured his future with the Commanders through 2028.
Cosmi started all 17 regular-season games at right guard in 2024 and remained healthy throughout the regular season. His season ended in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Detroit Lions, when he tore his ACL in the first half. He underwent surgery in early February 2025 to repair the injury.
On July 23, 2025, the Commanders placed Cosmi on the active/physically unable to perform list ahead of training camp. He began the 2025 regular season on the reserve/PUP list before being activated on October 18 in advance of Washington’s Week 7 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cosmi is recognized for his size, length, and technique at the guard position, where he uses his 6-foot-7 frame to anchor against powerful interior pass rushers. His ability to play both tackle and guard has given Washington’s coaching staff valuable flexibility along the offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cosmi’s signature college moment came on his 12-yard touchdown run against West Virginia, the longest by an offensive lineman in Big 12 history. In the NFL, his four-year, $74 million contract extension in 2024 stood as a major milestone, and his 2023 season of 17 starts and nearly full snap participation marked his emergence as a frontline starter.
Sam Cosmi Career Wins
Cosmi’s most prominent team achievements came during his college career at Texas, where he was part of squads that won the 2019 Sugar Bowl and the 2019 Alamo Bowl. He also helped the Longhorns reach the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game as a redshirt freshman.
Texas Longhorns Highlights
As a Longhorn, Cosmi contributed to a 2019 Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia and a 2019 Alamo Bowl championship. He was named a Third-Team All-American, a unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 selection, and a team captain in 2020.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his bowl victories, Cosmi earned multiple All-Big 12 honors across his college seasons and was recognized as an AP Third-Team All-American in 2020. These accolades underscored his development into one of the top offensive line prospects of the 2021 draft class.
Sam Cosmi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cosmi’s parents immigrated from Romania to the United States in the early 1980s, establishing the family’s life in the Humble, Texas area. His Romanian heritage has been a notable part of his personal story.
Personal Life
Cosmi is a Christian. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Cosmi’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his recovery from the ACL tear suffered in January 2025. He opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list as the Commanders monitored his rehabilitation, and he remained on the reserve/PUP list at the start of the regular season.
Washington activated Cosmi on October 18, 2025, returning him to the active roster ahead of a Week 7 divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys. His return added veteran stability to the Commanders’ offensive line as the season progressed.
On December 22, 2025, the Commanders placed Cosmi on injured reserve, interrupting his comeback campaign. With a contract that runs through 2028, Cosmi remains a central part of Washington’s long-term plans along the offensive line.