Lucas Patrick is the starting center moving forward for the Washington Commanders.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, speaking to the media during his weekly Friday update, made the announcement. Quinn said Patrick has won the starting center job and added, “I brought up to Adam (Peters) and Lance (Newmark, Assistant GM), I thought after a training camp signing in Week 2, I believe, and have a contribution that quickly, that is significant.”
Patrick (33) has been around the league, appearing in games for the Packers (2017-21), Bears (2022-23), Saints (2024), and Bengals (2025). Patrick was actually in the Giants’ training camp this summer, but was released August 31. The Commanders signed Patrick on September 16. As a result, he has played the last
three games at both center and guard.
In referring to Patrick himself, Quinn supplied, “He is a pro’s pro of coming in, communication, calls. That group (O-Line) has excellent connections. So for someone to come in new, it wasn’t, ‘okay, he is new’. It was leaning in to help get him up to speed. So I’ve certainly been impressed with what I have seen so far. The professionalism, the detail that he goes to. He’s been an excellent in-season addition. When you have players like that, that add value, man, it just sticks out to you in that way.”
Sick Bill's TD got called back. Great execution. Mariota and Lucas Patrick make some pre-snap checks at the line, formation shift gets Yankoff as a playside blocker. MM catches Seattle in a post-snap rotation and with fewer numbers playside. 3 v. 1 block + Patrick seal. TD smh pic.twitter.com/YsIVmjrGwO
— Jamual (@LetMualTellit) September 28, 2026
Nick Allegretti was the starting center in the offseason after the Commanders released 2024-2025 starter Tyler Biadasz. The Commanders then pursued free agent center Tyler Linderbaum; however, the Raiders made such an offer that Linderbaum could not refuse, signing with Las Vegas. The Commanders went with Allegretti to transition from right guard to center, citing that Allegretti had played center in college.
Allegretti was injured, returned to practice for one day, and was again injured. He has struggled with his run blocking, so the coaches decided to go with Patrick. With right guard Sam Cosmi returning this week, Allegretti will now be viewed as more of a depth piece to play if/where needed, either at center or guard.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders moving forward with big change on the offensive line
