Commanders forced to pivot at critical position after top free agent target re-signs with current team
The Commanders’ options at a key position are starting to become slim, and they have to pivot to figure out their response to a controversial move.
The Washington Commanders have their targets set on who they want to pursue with the NFL free agency period just days away.
After surprising everyone by releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz, the Commanders have to find their next answer, and they have to get it right. They only have a certain number of center options in free agency that are a clear upgrade from Biadasz, and one will reset the market, while the other is staying with his team now.
The Buffalo Bills re-signed center Connor McGovern before free agency begins, and now the Commanders have to pivot.
Center Connor McGovern re-signs with the Bills before free agency
The Bills went from not having any contact with McGovern to re-signing him just a few days later, after seeing the center market heat up before free agency. McGovern signed a four-year, $52 million deal just one day after the Los Angeles Chargers signed Biadasz to a big deal as well.
McGovern was the second-ranked free agent center after Tyler Linderbaum, who is expected to demand a massive contract and blow the center marker out of the water. The Commanders aren’t expected to be involved in Linderbaum’s bidding war, which is expected to be anywhere from $22 to $24 million per year.
That leaves the Commanders looking for their next option, and it all depends on other moves made by other teams.
Commanders’ next targets at the center position now
After McGovern re-signed with the Bills, my first thought was of two different players who should be on the Commanders’ radar. The best option would be Elgton Jenkins, who has been rumored to be released by the Green Bay Packers as a salary cap casualty, but it hasn’t happened yet. It’s still a very likely move that happens once the new league year starts on March 11th.
In the meantime, I’d expect them to check on Lloyd Cushenberry III and Cade Mays as cheaper options to at least compete with Nick Allegretti for the center spot. Banking on just Allegretti as the answer would be malpractice, and they at least need a backup option who can start if needed. We only saw Allegretti on a very limited sample at the center, and next season is too crucial to bank on him.
QB Jayden Daniels will be playing under center more than he ever has in his career next season, and he needs a reliable leader and communicator at center for the change to be flawless.
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