The Washington Commanders left many fans scratching their heads after they released Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz to clear a paltry $2.85 million in cap space only to watch him sign a 3-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers just days later.
One way they could make up for that move could be by taking a center in the 2026 NFL draft who could be the long-term solution, which ESPN’s Jordan Reid thinks they will do in his latest 7-round mock draft.
Reid predicts the Commanders will take 6-foot-5, 311-pound Indiana center Pat Coogan in the 6th round (No. 187 overall), bringing the CFP national champion and Rose Bowl MVP to replace Biadasz and, hopefully, team with quarterback Jayden Daniels for the next decade.
“Pat Coogan is a stout, judicious blocker, who wins on angles, sequencing and staying on schedule,” Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “When reps extend or he’s forced off his track, his sawed off build and marginal athletic ability limit his sustain and finish, pointing to a reliable interior backup who can get a team out of a pinch on the interior.”
Coogan started 14 games for Notre Dame on the way to a national runner-up finish in 2024. He transferred to Indiana for his final season, where he started all 16 games in an undefeated season on the way to winning the first national title in program history, including winning Rose Bowl MVP honors.
Commanders Called Out for Losing Biadasz
Bleacher Report called Biadasz the NFL’s “Biggest Steal” in free agency this offseason.
“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 Biadasz
Even if Coogan becomes Washington’s full-time starter, it’s going to take time for him to develop — time they probably don’t have after going 5-12 in 2025.
“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.”
Biadasz started 31 games the last 2 seasons for the Commanders after signing a 3-year, $29.5 million free agent contract before the 2024 season.
The plan for the Commanders, while not totally clear, could be to simply put 2-time Super Bowl champion Nick Allegretti at center — he’s listed as a guard/center. More than likely, they’re going to have to use 1 of their 5 draft picks on a center.
“Coogan is a veteran center with good size, intelligence, communication skills and leadership that will appeal to offensive line coaches,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s technically sound and is consistent in centering opponents while latching in with grip strength to increase stickiness … Coogan has the potential to become a starter, but there are limitations in his game that make scheme fit and protection help important.”
Commanders Urged to Replace $30M Center With 6-foot-5, 311-Pound Rose Bowl MVP