March 9, 2026, 10:39 p.m. ET
If the Washington Commanders released center Tyler Biadasz in an effort to get in on former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum ahead of free agency, it backfired miserably. The NFL’s legal negotiating period opened on Monday, and Linderbaum didn’t wait long to find a new team, agreeing to a three-year, $81 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Creed Humphrey, at an average annual value of $18 million, was the previous high for a center.
Linderbaum didn’t just reset the market; he blew it out of the water. That means the Commanders are still looking for a replacement for Biadasz. Washington was reportedly in on Linderbaum, but it’s uncertain how high GM Adam Peters was willing to go.
It doesn’t help Washington that other centers, such as Connor McGovern, reupped with Buffalo over the weekend, and Cade Mays agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions. But, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Commanders are “kicking the tires” on a multi-year starting center coming off injury: Lloyd Cushenberry.
After that, as the Commanders were seen by many as the favorite to land Linderbaum, I started hearing Washington was kicking tires on guys such as Lloyd Cushenberry III, whom the Titans let go. Everyone felt like the market would go wild. And it did.
Cushenberry could be a solid replacement, depending on his health. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Cushenberry was a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft from LSU. He was Joe Burrow’s center on that historic 2019 LSU national championship team. After being drafted by Denver, Cushenberry immediately became a starter at center for the Broncos, where he remained for four years.
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In 2024, Cushenberry signed a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans. After starting the first eight games in 2024, Cushenberry tore his Achilles tendon and was lost for the season. He returned in 2025, starting 15 games before he was waived on February 25. Cushenberry earned a 55.2 grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which was 36th out of 40 qualifying centers.
The Commanders could turn to Nick Allegretti at center. Allegretti has played guard and center throughout his NFL career. If Allegretti is the choice, Washington would likely add a young center in the 2026 NFL Draft for depth and to push him.