Head coach provides update on several free agent and roster decisions, including two players to watch
With the NFL owners meeting this week, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn provided updates on several remaining offseason questions, but maybe none more notable than his statements on both sides of the trenches:
Starting center in 2026
After taking a swing in free agency, one of the biggest remaining questions this offseason remains who the starting center will be with limited options on the roster. Washington elected to release Tyler Biadasz after two seasons as the starter, a move that Quinn noted the team did not explore a trade to resolve, but opted to re-sign Nick Allegretti. That could be an indication of what's to come after Quinn noted Allegretti and Julian Good-Jones are battling for starting job as of now. The last part could be most notable given Washington has a chance to address the position in the draft with multiple day three selections within range to grab a long-term answer like Connor Lew or Logan Jones available in that range. Good-Jones has played in just one game during his NFL career after rotating in at guard during Washington's season finale loss back in 2023.
Player to watch
The interior defensive line added another key piece with Tim Settle upgrading the depth under new position coach Eric Henderson, but head coach Dan Quinn also pointed to a player to track ahead of his third season: Johnny Newton.
"His first year was injuries, had foot injuries to come in. I think he’s a guy that’s about to just absolutely take off,” Jones said in an ESPN interview. Newton had his moments in 2025, including his star performance when he notched three sacks and nine tackles - both season highs - in the Christmas Day loss against the Dallas Cowboys. But the other 16 games, Newton registered just two sacks and struggled to consistently generate pressure in a disappointing season for the unit. But the former second round pick will now look to jumpstart his production in Daronte Jones' system in year three.
Dan Quinn also noted that defensive end Dorrance Armstrong, who suffered a season ending knee injury in the week seven loss against the Dallas Cowboys, is recovering well as he becomes part of a deeper rotation of edge rushers ahead of 2026.
Free agent signings
Head coach Dan Quinn also pointed to the speed and versatility added to the roster via free agency. Of course, adding a playmaker to the tight end room was an off-season priority for the Commanders and Chig Okonkwo provides exactly that after Quinn noted that he loves the former Titans tight end's speed. Quinn also pointed to "free-flowing speed" for linebacker Leo Chenal and scheme versatility for edge rusher Odafe Oweh, per David Harrison, but he also pointed to a practice squad player as one he's intrigued with: TE Lawrence Cager.
A converted wide receiver and Baltimore native, Cager spent the 2025 season on the practice squad before signing a futures contract back on Jan. 7, but the massive 6-foot-5 receiving threat adds intrigue to the position despite not recording a stat since 2023 with the Giants.
Aiyuk Saga Remains On Hold
The lone non-Commander update came in the conference after head coach Kyle Shanahan noted the team is in no rush to find a resolution for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, consistent with the latest messaging as the San Francisco 49ers look for draft compensation in the process. That could be largely tied to Aiyuk's cap hit given a $21 million difference in dead money between a pre or post-June 1 cut designation, but it's delaying the inevitable as the Commanders remain the team most frequently and consistently linked to the former All Pro receiver with a need to upgrade the top of the wide receiver room.