Commanders make salary cap move before NFL free agency that also heals a recent self-inflicted wound
The Commanders are extending a key veteran on the offensive line to free up more salary cap space and give them more options for starters.
The Washington Commanders are prepared to go all-in this offseason, and they have the resources to do so in free agency.
There’s one major hurdle to clear with 31 pending free agents, and it didn’t help that they just released their starting center, Tyler Biadasz. The Commanders do have a top-5 salary cap space heading into free agency, with many moves to be made to create more. They also extended Andrew Wylie last week, but they weren’t done just yet.
General manager Adam Peters continues to shift the offensive line, and we may have a big question answered with the Commanders extending veteran Nick Allegretti.
The Commanders are extending veteran offensive lineman Nick Allegretti
Allegretti wasn’t a pending free agent, but he did have a notable salary cap hit in 2026 at $7.1 million on his final year and was a clear extension or cut candidate to free up more space. We don’t have the exact numbers of his new contract yet, but there’s no doubt the move will create more salary cap space for free agency, and it keeps him around with a new two-year contract.
The extension comes after Biadasz was released last week, and Allegretti may have the opportunity to compete for the starting center position, while also being depth at guard. The Commanders are likely to lose Chris Paul in free agency, and Allgretti could be a key piece of the offensive line next season.
Nick Allgretti will have an important role next season
Sure, Allegretti wasn’t the best offensive lineman for the Commanders, but the interior of the line is shaking up this offseason, and they needed him back. We could see two new starters next year at both left guard and center, and Allegretti is in play for both with his versatility. Allegretti filled in for Biadasz when he went down later in the season, and he played well on the spot.
He played 76 snaps at center, and started there for the final game, and didn’t allow a single sack or pressure as a pass blocker. Allegretti can also move in space, and may be a fit in David Blough’s new offensive scheme. The Commanders should still add another center option this offseason to compete, but don’t rule out Allegretti, especially after his new contract extension to stay in Washington.
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