5 immediate replacements for Tyler Biadasz who could protect Jayden Daniels, and how much they could cost
The Commanders dropped the shocking news that they released starting center Tyler Biadasz, and now they need his replacement this offseason.
The Washington Commanders have one of the more intriguing offseasons to watch with the most pending free agents in the NFL, and a lot of salary cap space to spend.
There will be many difficult decisions made along the way, but general manager Adam Peters wasted no time making a shocking move Thursday night. It was reported that the Commanders released starting center Tyler Biadasz, and now they need his replacement.
Here’s an early look at who the Commanders could pursue at center this offseason, but the 2026 NFL Draft, and possibly in the upcoming two weeks during free agency. Don’t be disappointed when you don’t see Tyler Linderbaum, as I don’t expect the top center free agent to hit the market.
Center targets the Commanders could pursue this offseason
Connor McGovern (Free Agent)
Buffalo Bills center Connor McGovern is my top option right now, and the 28-year-old is set to hit free agency in the next two weeks. McGovern is 6-5, 318 pounds, and used to playing with a mobile QB in Josh Allen, who also goes under center a lot, which Jayden Daniels will be doing next season.
He hasn’t allowed a sack in the last two seasons, and he’s a steady mover in the run game as well. McGovern makes sense for David Blough’s new offensive scheme and will also be very affordable. He’s projected to get a three-year, $39 million contract in free agency this offseason, which is very doable for the Commanders at $13 million per year.
Ethan Pocic (Free Agent)
Ethan Pocic is one of the many pending free agents on the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line and is very unlikely to return. He wouldn’t be my top option, but he’s stout enough in the pass blocking game to compete for the starting spot at a very affordable price. Pocic only allowed two sacks and 14 pressures in 2025, and is projected to earn a two-year, $14 million deal in free agency.
He’s 30 years old, but he has the size at 6-6, 320 pounds, and would be a filler at the position this offseason, but he wouldn’t be a move that knocks my socks off, or a definite upgrade from Biadasz.
Lloyd Cushenberry III (Free Agent)
The Tennessee Titans recently released Lloyd Cushenberry III, who was a big-ticket free agent signing for them back in 2024, but it just didn’t work out at all. Cushenberry tore his Achilles tendon in 2024, but made a return to play in 2025. He had a down season with six sacks and 25 pressures allowed, and had to have shoulder surgery, but he’s good to go for next season.
Cushenberry III is just turning 28 years old and was stellar in 2023 before he joined the Titans. He will likely come at a very affordable price as he looks to bounce back, and hopefully, the Commanders can get the best out of him again.
Elgton Jenkins (Possible Cut Candidate)
The Commanders’ answer at center may not even be available right now, with veteran Elgton Jenkins as a likely salary cap cut candidate in the upcoming weeks. Jenkins carries a $24.3 million salary cap hit next season and had a season-ending lower leg fracture in Week 10 last season. The Green Bay Packers need to save salary cap space, and it makes too much sense to release him.
Jenkins just turned 30, but he’s been stellar when he plays. He’s only allowed three sacks in the last three seasons. He played primarily left guard for the majority of his career and made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2022. The Packers moved him to center in 2025, and he could be the Commanders’ next center, or Chris Paul’s replacement if he doesn’t stay in Washington. Jenkins may want the most out of all of the options, but also could be the most valuable.
Nick Allegretti (Current Commander)
The Commanders could decide to keep Nick Allegretti this offseason and have him compete as the starting center next year, which wouldn’t excite me at all. There would be no point in releasing Biadasz just for his backup to start over him in 2026. Allegretti has only played 178 snaps at center in his seven-year career, and he wasn’t good last season.
He also carries a $7 million cap hit next season and hasn’t played up to his price point. Allegretti could save the Commanders $6 milllion with a post-June 1st release, which makes more sense. Biadasz was way better than Allegretti, and shouldn’t be the starter, but at least a backup if he reworks his contract.
Honorable Mention: Cade Mayes
Mayes is only 26 years old and has the size to move at the center position at 6-6, 325 pounds. He’s a high-end pass blocker who hasn’t allowed a sack in two seasons, and just 21 pressures. Mayes is expected to make around $5 million per year this offseason as a cheaper option.
The Commanders will have a ton of options to explore this offseason, and I’ll also be diving into NFL Draft prospects soon, even though it’s a weaker class.
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