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The Washington Commanders made a shocking move on Thursday night, releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz. The 28-year-old center, who signed with Washington two years ago, started 31 games over the last two seasons for the Commanders. The offensive line is considered a strength for Washington, with Biadasz being a signficant reason why.
The move was surprising for multiple reasons. For one, Biadasz was reliable and solid. Secondly, he didn't give the Commanders significant salary-cap savings. While his cap hit for 2026 was among the top 10 in the NFL, Washington didn't need the cap space by moving on from him. It also creates another hole.
Now that Biadasz is gone, who will the Commanders replace him with? Less than two weeks before free agency begins, you'd like to think Washington has a plan.
Here are six candidates who could be the Commanders' center in 2026.
There has been talk of Allegretti being a potential salary cap casualty. Now, he's a contender to start at center. Allegretti has played all three interior spots and has also played some center for Washington when Biadasz was out. He struggled with his snaps at times. But remember, the Commanders plan on being under center a lot more in 2026, so that shouldn't be an issue. It can be argued whether Allegretti is an actual upgrade over Biadasz. However, he's under contract, and Washington likes him. Don't rule it out.
Linderbaum is one of the jewels of the free-agent class. Unbelievably, the Ravens didn't pick up his fifth-year option, and now he's close to hitting the market. Baltimore wants to retain him and has made an effort to do so. He will have plenty of options. He could land with the Giants, where his former coach, John Harbaugh, is. Or, he could land in Los Angeles with the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh. It's doubtful the Commanders would pay the premium for Linderbaum with so many other needs. If they did, this offensive line goes from a solid top-10 unit to among the NFL's best. Linderbaum is an elite center.
Pocic is a nine-year veteran, having started 97 career games. He's not elite, but he's solid and reliable. Is he an actual upgrade over Biadasz? He could be cheaper, though. Pocic has spent the past four seasons with the Browns, and he will start somewhere in 2026.
While Linderbaum gets the headlines, Mays is a name to watch. The 26-year-old has the size (6-foot-6, 325) to handle some of the bigger defensive tackles in the division, such as Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Quinnen Williams. Initially drafted by the Panthers in 2022, Mays was waived during final cuts in 2024. The Giants signed him to their practice squad, and the Panthers later re-signed him back off New York's practice squad. In 2025, he took over at center for Austin Corbett, and his career took off. Mays is hitting free agency at the right time and will also have options.
McGovern is a solid center who will also have a strong market. Again, he's probably more in line with Biadasz, but maybe slightly better. However, he'll probably earn a decent salary on the open market. McGovern may be too pricey for the Bills once he hits free agency. Don't expect the Commanders to get into a bidding war for any offensive linemen this year, so McGovern seems unlikely. If Washington chose to pay significant money for a center, it would be Linderbaum.
The Titans signed Cushenberry the same year as the Commanders signed Biadasz. Biadasz's time in Washington was much more impactful than Cushenberry's in Tennessee, though. A third-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, Cushenberry started at center for Denver for four seasons before landing with the Titans. Injuries ruined Cushenberry's Tennessee tenure, and he was released earlier this week — or will be released before the new league year. Whoever signs Cushenberry could land a bargain. He's still only 28 years old.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 6 players to watch as next starting center
Continue reading...
The move was surprising for multiple reasons. For one, Biadasz was reliable and solid. Secondly, he didn't give the Commanders significant salary-cap savings. While his cap hit for 2026 was among the top 10 in the NFL, Washington didn't need the cap space by moving on from him. It also creates another hole.
Now that Biadasz is gone, who will the Commanders replace him with? Less than two weeks before free agency begins, you'd like to think Washington has a plan.
Here are six candidates who could be the Commanders' center in 2026.
Commanders G/C Nick Allegretti
There has been talk of Allegretti being a potential salary cap casualty. Now, he's a contender to start at center. Allegretti has played all three interior spots and has also played some center for Washington when Biadasz was out. He struggled with his snaps at times. But remember, the Commanders plan on being under center a lot more in 2026, so that shouldn't be an issue. It can be argued whether Allegretti is an actual upgrade over Biadasz. However, he's under contract, and Washington likes him. Don't rule it out.
Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum is one of the jewels of the free-agent class. Unbelievably, the Ravens didn't pick up his fifth-year option, and now he's close to hitting the market. Baltimore wants to retain him and has made an effort to do so. He will have plenty of options. He could land with the Giants, where his former coach, John Harbaugh, is. Or, he could land in Los Angeles with the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh. It's doubtful the Commanders would pay the premium for Linderbaum with so many other needs. If they did, this offensive line goes from a solid top-10 unit to among the NFL's best. Linderbaum is an elite center.
Browns C Ethan Pocic
Pocic is a nine-year veteran, having started 97 career games. He's not elite, but he's solid and reliable. Is he an actual upgrade over Biadasz? He could be cheaper, though. Pocic has spent the past four seasons with the Browns, and he will start somewhere in 2026.
Panthers C Cade Mays
While Linderbaum gets the headlines, Mays is a name to watch. The 26-year-old has the size (6-foot-6, 325) to handle some of the bigger defensive tackles in the division, such as Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Quinnen Williams. Initially drafted by the Panthers in 2022, Mays was waived during final cuts in 2024. The Giants signed him to their practice squad, and the Panthers later re-signed him back off New York's practice squad. In 2025, he took over at center for Austin Corbett, and his career took off. Mays is hitting free agency at the right time and will also have options.
Bills C Connor McGovern
McGovern is a solid center who will also have a strong market. Again, he's probably more in line with Biadasz, but maybe slightly better. However, he'll probably earn a decent salary on the open market. McGovern may be too pricey for the Bills once he hits free agency. Don't expect the Commanders to get into a bidding war for any offensive linemen this year, so McGovern seems unlikely. If Washington chose to pay significant money for a center, it would be Linderbaum.
Former Titans C Lloyd Cushenberry
The Titans signed Cushenberry the same year as the Commanders signed Biadasz. Biadasz's time in Washington was much more impactful than Cushenberry's in Tennessee, though. A third-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, Cushenberry started at center for Denver for four seasons before landing with the Titans. Injuries ruined Cushenberry's Tennessee tenure, and he was released earlier this week — or will be released before the new league year. Whoever signs Cushenberry could land a bargain. He's still only 28 years old.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 6 players to watch as next starting center
Continue reading...
