The Washington Commanders spent all offseason telling anyone who would listen that Nick Allegretti could be the starting center. Washington said it believed in him and his ability to play the position at a high level, despite barely doing it in the NFL.
It all began in February when the Commanders shockingly released starting center Tyler Biadasz. Whatever you think Washington cut Biadasz for, his play slipped; he struggled with communication at center, etc. You’d certainly better have a solid backup plan. The Commanders thought they did. They were involved with the NFL’s top free agent, former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. However, the Raiders weren’t about to let that happen, handing Linderbaum a record-breaking three-year deal worth $81
million. Done deal. Linderbaum is a Raider.
Instead of looking to sign a veteran free agent, at least for depth, or someone more experienced at the position to push Allegretti, GM Adam Peters stood pat.
Washington used a sixth-round pick on Michigan State center Matt Gulbin in the 2026 NFL Draft. But Gulbin wasn’t an answer, at least early in his career.
Everyone discussed the concern at center. While Allegretti is a solid rotational lineman, they had already benched him at guard. Now they suddenly think he’s a starting center. Then, Allegretti injured his calf on the first day of training camp. He missed almost all of training camp and the preseason, highlighting the Commanders’ center woes. As training camp and the preseason wore on, Washington still didn’t add a center to push or back up Allegretti.
That changed on Sept. 16, when the Commanders signed veteran guard/center Lucas Patrick. Now in his 11th NFL season, Patrick was cut by the Giants in training camp due to an injury. Washington signed him, and he immediately went to work, starting the last two games at center with right guard Sam Cosmi out with a concussion. Allegretti started at right guard in the Week 3 win over the Seahawks.
Patrick started again at center in Week 4. But Allegretti did not. Instead, with Cosmi still out, Washington turned to Gulbin to start at right guard. Patrick and Gulbin played every offensive snap in Week 4 against the Colts. Allegretti did not play on offense. Instead, he played three special-teams snaps.
After the game, Quinn was asked about the change. His answer was interesting.
“I think, one, just keep competing,” Quinn said. “Where we’re at with the O-line spot, with Sam being out, and we liked some of the things that we saw with Lucas. We liked some of the things we’ve seen in practice with Matt. So we thought, okay, let’s put him into the space as well.”
Then Quinn addressed Allegretti.
“Nick got a little bit banged up last week, and he was going to be limited at the start. So we thought this was the best chance for this week with where we’d go. That’s all it was.”
That’s a curious answer. Allegretti wasn’t on Washington’s injury report last week. Was this Quinn’s way of saying the Allegretti-at-center experiment was a mistake? Neither he nor Peters will ever do that. In fact, it’s rare you will find a coach or GM who would make that type of public admission. That’s understandable.
Washington management spent all offseason telling everyone Allegretti was, or could be, the guy. In only Week 4, they’ve seen enough? That’s not an indictment of Allegretti. He’s a useful player. He’s the perfect interior reserve for any good team, because he can play three positions in a pinch. But he shouldn’t be starting on a good offensive line. For that, blame Peters. Blame Quinn. But mostly blame Peters. They put Allegretti in a tough position, too. He’s been the subject of ridicule online, and that’s unfair. Blame Peters.
The Commanders misplayed their hand last offseason. Instead of pivoting, they stayed firm, cheap, whatever. Almost anyone on the outside expressed concern about the center position. Peters and Quinn smiled through it all.
Cosmi is expected back this week. If he plays on Sunday, it will be interesting to see who lines up at center. It should be Patrick. He's played well there for two weeks. If it is, then Washington has admitted — without saying a word — its mistake.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders admit big offseason mistake without saying a word
