For those fans that need a refresher, Adam Peters made the surprising decision to release last year’s starting center, Tyler Biadasz, in February of this year. He was quickly signed by the Chargers to a three-year contract, who filled a clear need with the signing. The Commanders also made a move shortly after Biadasz’s release, locking in Nick Allegretti on a two-year extendion. There was speculation regarding a center addition in free agency, including Tyler Linderbaum, but those reports were never
substantiated, and the start of free agency came and went without an addition at the position. The Commanders were linked to multiple center prospects during the draft process but waited until day three to make their move, selecting Michigan State’s Matt Gulbin in the bottom of the sixth round. Discussion continues surrounding the circumstances of Biadasz’s release, but today we move forward and focus on the two rostered players that will battle to hold down the middle of the Commanders offensive line in 2026.
Nick Allegretti initially played guard for the team, starting all 17 games for the Commanders in 2024, with four more starts in 2025, the last of which came at center versus the Eagles in the final week of the season. While he struggled in replacement duty the week before versus the Cowboys, allowing 1 quarterback hit and 1 hurry for a 7.1% pressure rate, he also had a nice stunt pickup and allowed no pressures the following week versus the Eagles.
Over the course of his college and pro career, he does not have an abundance of in-game reps at center, but the Commanders coaching staff and players feel comfortable with Allegretti, especially when it comes to calling protections and the mental aspect of the position. Fans, on the other hand, seem to be focused on Allegretti’s lackluster play at the guard position over the last two seasons.
The messaging from the Commanders coaching staff is Allegretti will compete for the starting center job, but with his high football IQ and movement skills, he appears to be the frontrunner to win the role. The biggest question surrounding Allegretti as a starter is how he will hold up in pass protection against a murderers’ row of elite defensive tackles in the NFC East. His ability to anchor and take on power rushers is a concern, but it just happens to be the strength of another player on the Commanders roster.
Here is his draft profile from NFLDrafBuzz:
What you see with Gulbin is a player who wins with old-school brute strength and sheer stubbornness rather than any kind of athletic edge. He is never going to win a footrace with a 3-technique, and his movement skills will be tested the moment he faces NFL-caliber speed. But here is the thing: his anchor is among the best in this entire draft class, regardless of position. When he sets his feet and locks in, pass rushers simply do not move him. That kind of immovable base has real value in the league, even if it comes packaged with limited lateral agility.
For a team that plans to put Jayden Daniels under center more this season, that kind of praise must be music to the ears. Gulbin’s lack of athleticism and lateral agility will be a limiting factor on wide zone runs and reach blocks, but he still moves well horizontally, and he can get to the second level. Matt also has a high football IQ, a strong work ethic, good strength, and he was named a team captain as a senior transfer. Gulbin will face a steep learning curve but is known for spending extra hours with coaches to master the playbook. Still, understanding NFL protections and disguised looks will be one of Matt’s greatest challenges, while being one of Allegretti’s biggest strengths.
So is the competition over before it started? Allegretti has the mental game and is more athletic than Gulbin but struggles with speed and power in pass protection. Matt was described as a “hyperaware” player by Dane Brugler, who deciphers blitzes and games quickly. He may be an immovable rock in the center of the offensive line while working in tandem with the Commanders’ highly athletic guards to account for blitzes and stunts. The interesting piece of the conversation is that general expectations for Allegretti at the center position are low, and if a sixth-round pick that was once considered to be a third- or fourth-round selection by Mel Kiper can overachieve, this battle could get interesting by the preseason finale. Is it possible for Matt Gulbin to follow in Chase Roullier’s footsteps?
