The Washington Commanders fell to 2-5-1 after Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Losing to the Rams wasn’t surprising, as many considered Los Angeles a preseason Super Bowl favorite. However, Washington led the entire first half and went into halftime up 10-6.
The Rams marched down the field on the first possession of the third quarter and never looked back. Washington had its chances, though, but the offense was inept for the final 30 minutes.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels contributed to the Commanders’ issues. So did a lack of a running game and questionable playcalling. Finally, there was the offensive line. Washington’s offensive line had no answer for Myles Garrett. In all fairness, most teams don’t. That’s why he and teammate Aaron
Donald are future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famers.
In Sunday’s game, veteran center Lucas Patrick departed with an injury. Rookie sixth-round pick Matt Gulbin replaced him. It went as well as you’d expect. That’s not Gulbin’s fault. Blame Washington’s coaches. Better yet, blame general manager Adam Peters.
What was most curious was that the Commanders chose to replace Patrick in-game with Gulbin — not Nick Allegretti. You know, the same Allegretti that Washington told you every chance it got since March would be a quality starting center. Peters hyped him. Head coach Dan Quinn hyped him. Peters was later asked about his decision to cut starting center Tyler Biadasz in February, and he wasn’t happy with the question.
You know how things played out by this point. Washington cut Biadasz, hoping to sign Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. The Raiders paid way above market to secure Linderbaum. Instead of pivoting to other veteran centers who could man the position for a season, they told you Allegretti could do it.
Their entire offseason plan was Allegretti. What was the backup plan if Allegretti got hurt or couldn’t do the job? Well, Allegretti missed almost all of training camp, which let the Commanders play Gulbin and journeyman Julian Good-Jones at center in the preseason. Again, it went as expected. And the Commanders told you, “Once Nick is back, we’ll be fine.”
Allegretti was back in Week 1. He started the first two games at center and struggled. In Week 3, with right guard Sam Cosmi out with a concussion, Allegretti moved to guard for a week, while veteran Lucas Patrick, signed on Sept. 16, took over at center.
After playing 100% of Washington’s offensive snaps in the first three games, Allegretti has played only two since — two snaps in relief in Week 6.
On Sunday, Patrick left the game to be checked for a concussion. He did not return. Instead, it was Gulbin. The Commanders, who told everyone they were fine at center with Allegretti, didn't even bother to use Allegretti as a backup.
One image summed up everything.
Can someone explain to my why Gulbin is in at Center when Allegretti is active and WAS your starting center plan prior to the season? pic.twitter.com/r9Z9mhr5r0
— Tailgate Ted (@TailgateTed) November 8, 2026
Peters did some good things last offseason. He added some key pieces. Players such as Sonny Styles, Amik Robertson, Antonio Williams, Chig Okonkwo, Odafe Oweh, Charles Omenihu, Tim Settle, K’Lavon Chaisson and Nick Cross were all great additions. But the move Peters didn’t make hangs over Washington’s disappointing 2026 season.
Fans were concerned about the center position all offseason. The media questioned Quinn and Peters. They doubled down, tripled down, quadrupled down on Allegretti.
By being so insistent that Allegretti was the guy, they opened him up to criticism. Social media is an awful place. Allegretti, Good-Jones and Gulbin were all set up for failure, and have had to deal with nonsense on social media because of it. Allegretti is a serviceable NFL lineman. He’s just not a center. He’s the perfect interior reserve you keep active on game days. The Kansas City Chiefs understood that.
Perhaps Peters should’ve never cut Biadasz in the first place. It sure feels like we’ve said that before.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: One image sums up Commanders' 2026 season
