Commanders' Center Plan Fails, Scramble for Replacement

0:00On March 10th, the Washington Commanders planned to chase top-center Tyler Linderbaum fell flat after they released their own starter, Tyler Biedaz. Linderbaum quickly signed a three-year deal worth $81 million with the Las Vegas Raiders, right as free agency opened on Monday. That contract shattered the market for centers, topping the previous high of $18 million per year set by Creed Humphrey. Other top-centers moved fast too, leaving fewer options. Conor McGovern stayed with Buffalo over the weekend and Cade Mays joined the Detroit Lions. The commanders, who were seen as front runners for Linderbaum, now scramble for a replacement without knowing how much their general manager was ready to spend. Fans and analysts see this as a big setback for Washington's offensive line rebuild. The team needs stability upfront, especially after dumping Biedaz and missing Linderbaum means paying more wherever they land someone. Now they're checking out veteran Lloyd Kushenberry, a six-foot-four, 315-pound former third-round pick from LSU in 2020.

1:04He started for Denver early on, then played for Tennessee until in Achilles' injury in 2024 and a waiver this off-season. His recent performance ranked low among centers, but he could fit if healthy. They might slide Nick Allegretti over from guard in the meantime or grab a young prospect in next year's draft. Either way, Washington keeps hunting for that key piece to shore up the middle.