General manager Adam Peters took a massive gamble this offseason. And even before the Washington Commanders have played a competitive regular-season snap, it's already backfiring massively.
Joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens was the final straw.
Action is needed, and now.
Commanders' offensive line problems were once again exposed in joint Ravens practice
The offense crumbled versus the Ravens. Everything looked disjointed, and this was no more evident than along the offensive line. This isn't a new concern, so it's not hard to see why the fingers of blame are already being pointed towards Washington's front-office leader.
Not having five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil available, potentially for the entire 2026 season, with a torn triceps was always going to be difficult to recover from. But it's the glaring issues at center that represent the biggest issue.
Nick Allegretti received a strong vote of confidence, but he was hurt on the first day of training camp and is still working his way back after reaggravating the calf issue during his ramp-up. But considering he's got just 190 snaps at center throughout his NFL career, he's not exactly a home run.
This is having a detrimental ripple effect that cannot be ignored any longer.
The anchor is unstable. Stud right guard Sam Cosmi didn't practice due to illness, leaving the interior even more exposed. And even when he returns, it won't solve everything.
Chris Paul is reverting to type without the elite-level presence of Tunsil next to him on the left-hand side. Josh Conerly Jr. and Brandon Coleman have potential, but they are young. And the Ravens had no trouble exposing this unit.
It's still August. The sky is not falling — not yet, anyway.
But the last few weeks should draw Peters to one conclusion.
Commanders need to urgently find a better solution at center
The Commanders need outside help. And they needed it yesterday.
Whether it's with a productive veteran center off the waiver wire or being a little bolder with a trade, Peters has to do something. Allegretti's missed too many vital reps this summer to inspire confidence. Matt Gulbin is shaky at best, so the sixth-round rookie is best served as a development project. The less said about Julian Good-Jones, the better.
Anything less than a new center coming in to at least provide the Commanders with a better contingency plan is organizational malpractice at this point.
And it's got the scope to waste yet another year of quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie deal.
The way Washington is pinning its hopes on Allegretti, you'd be convinced he was an All-Pro. He's anything but, failing to produce the goods at either guard position and offering very little experience at center. And yet, this is the contentious route Peters chose.
Releasing Tyler Biadasz was a big call, and there was no real plan of attack after striking out on prized free-agent Tyler Linderbaum. Peters overlooked the remaining free agents and waited until the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to bring another center on board.
Fans called it out months ago. Now, everyone can see it.
And unless something is done, Daniels will be the one who suffers.
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