​For readers seeking a quick refresher, Adam Peters surprised many by releasing last year’s starting center, Tyler Biadasz, in February this year. The Chargers wasted little time snapping him up on a three-year contract, and the signing addressed a clear need on their offensive line. Shortly after Biadasz’s departure, the Commanders followed with their own move, signing Nick Allegretti to a two-year extension. There was chatter about adding a center in free agency, with Tyler Linderbaum among the names mentioned, but none of those reports materialized. Free agency opened and closed without any new center arriving. Throughout the draft process, the Commanders were tied to several center prospects but opted to wait until day three, selecting Michigan State’s Matt Gulbin in the bottom of the sixth round. The full discussion about Biadasz’s release remains ongoing, but for now the focus shifts to the two players who are currently on the roster and will vie to anchor the Commanders’ interior offensive line in 2026.
Nick Allegretti began his 2024 season at guard, starting all 17 games for the Commanders, and added four more starts in 2025, the last one coming at center in the final week of the season against the Eagles. His performance as a fill-in was a mixed bag: he struggled in the week prior to the Cowboys game, yielding one quarterback hit and one hurry for a 7.1% pressure rate, yet he redeemed himself the following week by delivering a solid stunt pickup and allowing no pressures against the Eagles. Across his college and pro career, Allegretti hasn’t accumulated extensive in-game experience at center, but the Commanders’ coaching staff and players express confidence in his abilities at the position—particularly in calling protections and handling the mental demands. Fans, however, have fixated on Allegretti’s relatively underwhelming play at guard over the past couple of seasons. The coaching staff has conveyed that Allegretti will compete for the starting center job, and with his high football IQ and solid movement skills, he appears to be the frontrunner. The primary concern adjacent to a potential Allegretti start is how well he can hold up in pass protection against the NFC East’s elite defensive tackles. The prospect of anchoring and absorbing power rushes remains a noteworthy question, though one that may be cushioned by the presence of another capable player on the Commanders’ roster.
Gulbin’s scouting profile from NFL Draft Buzz highlights a player who wins battles through old-school brute strength and unyielding perseverance rather than standout athleticism. He isn’t likely to outrun a quick 3-technique or keep pace with NFL-caliber speed, and his movement skills will be tested against professional speed on a daily basis. Yet Gulbin’s anchor stands out as one of the strongest components of his game in this entire draft class. When he sets his feet and locks in, he can stop pass rushers in their tracks. That immovable base carries real value in the league, even if it’s not the flashiest trait. In the end, his advantages lie in consistency of contact and the ability to hold ground, which can translate to reliable protection at the center position. His presence on the depth chart provides the Commanders with an additional interior option, particularly for interior running plays and zone schemes that require a sturdy center who can sustain blocks through the whistle.
Taken together, Allegretti’s versatility and football IQ position him as a strong candidate to win the starting center role, with the caveat that his pass protection against top-end interior rushers remains a critical area to monitor. Gulbin, meanwhile, offers an alternative path—strong anchoring that could keep him in the mix during training camp and beyond, especially in situations where the Commanders place a premium on interior power and leverage.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Commanders’ center competition will hinge on a balance of technique, strength, and health. Allegretti’s veteran savvy could be the edge, especially in understanding and communicating protections, while Gulbin’s formidable anchor provides a valuable floor that could translate into meaningful rotational snaps or occasional starting opportunities. The team’s decision will likely come down to how well each player can translate their pass protection and communication into consistent performance against a demanding NFC East lineup.
In the broader picture, the release of Biadasz remains a talking point among fans and analysts alike. However, the Commanders’ focus now is squarely on building a reliable interior blocking unit that can support both the running game and the passing attack. Whether Allegretti’s leadership and intellect will clinch the center job, or Gulbin’s raw anchoring will emerge as a season-long asset, the 2026 interior line will shape the effectiveness of the Commanders’ offense for the year ahead.