The Washington Commanders made the inexplicable move of letting Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz go this offseason. It was a move that the Los Angeles Chargers took full advantage of by signing him to a 3-year, $30 million contract just days following his release.
It’s being called 1 of the NFL’s best free agent signings of the offseason.
“When the Commanders surprisingly cut their veteran center in late February, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz was wise to get involved,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote. “Before Tyler Linderbaum massively propelled the top of the center market forward, the Chargers were able to bring in Biadasz on a three-year deal for $30 million, guaranteeing $15 million of the $20 million he’s owed over the first two seasons. The Dolphins didn’t have a reliable quarterback, more than one standout receiver, or consistent O-line play in 2025, but Mike McDaniel was able to manufacture a running game with a great back (De’Von Achane) and a center playing like a superstar in Aaron Brewer, who might have been the team’s best player at any position. McDaniel is in L.A. now as the offensive coordinator, and Biadasz’s athleticism will be key for the Chargers as they try to build a version of that run game in 2026. And as is always the case every offseason, the Chargers hope that the arrival of a new interior lineman — and a healthier season on the whole — will make life easier for Justin Herbert.”
Tyler Biadasz ‘Biggest Steal’ of NFL Offseason
Bleacher Report called the Chargers’ signing of Biadasz the NFL’s “Biggest Steal” in free agency during the 2026 cycle after he was a salary-cap casualty in Washington.
“The free agent market at the center position got reset in a seismic way when the Las Vegas Raiders handed Tyler Linderbaum a three-year contract averaging a staggering $27 million a season. Linderbaum is admittedly an excellent offensive lineman,” Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport wrote. “But the Los Angeles Chargers were able to add a Pro Bowl center of their own — and his entire three-year deal isn’t that much bigger than Linderbaum’s average annual salary.”
Commanders Will Likely Regret Losing Pro Bowler
Biadasz was also called the salary-cap casualty that an NFL team will come to regret most.
“Biadasz’s release by the Washington Commanders simply didn’t make sense,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote. ” … After seeing quarterback Jayden Daniels suffer multiple injuries in 2025, the Commanders should be more focused on building up their offensive line, not tearing it down. They certainly shouldn’t have released a 28-year-old center who started 16 games last season and played well.”
The Commanders didn’t think enough of Biadasz to pay him the $8.3 million he was owed in 2026 and released him for relatively meager salary cap savings.
“The Chargers make a splash before free agency, agreeing to terms with C Tyler Biadasz on a 3-year deal worth $30M, per The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Friday. “Biadasz was cut by the Commanders after being set to make $8.3M. Now he lands in LA with a raise.”
Veteran offensive lineman and 3-time Super Bowl champion Nick Allegretti, who started 17 games at guard for the Commanders in 2024, is currently listed as Washington’s starting center.
Former Commanders Star’s $30 Million Contract Called ‘Best Offseason Deal’