The Washington Commanders were reportedly ready to make free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum a market-resetting offer to provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with an elite-level option to replace Tyler Biadasz. But a momentous commitment from the Las Vegas Raiders left them out of luck.
Linderbaum has reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $81 million deal, including a $20 million signing bonus and $80 million in guaranteed money. This sets a new bar for the center market, forcing the Commanders to turn their attention elsewhere.
And one NFL insider has heard rumors about a possible option under consideration.
Commanders could pivot to Lloyd Cushenberry III after Tyler Linderbaum blow
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated acknowledged that the Commanders were in on Linderbaum and may have even been the leading candidate to secure his services. Once they backed off the asking price, after the Raiders came in over the top, the insider started hearing about Lloyd Cushenberry III as a possible contingency plan.
"After that, as the Commanders were seen by many as the favorite to land [Tyler] 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 is looking for alternative employment after being released by the Tennessee Titans. He's experienced, though his production was up and down last season. However, he's got proven production in zone-blocking concepts, which is what new offensive coordinator David Blough might be looking for.
No approach has been officially confirmed, but it's an interesting tidbit.
The Commanders need more after releasing Biadasz. Linderbaum went to the Raiders, and Cade Mays has reportedly joined the Detroit Lions. Cushenberry may be among the best remaining free agents on the market. Whether he'd have that big of an upgrade over the center Washington released is the big question.
Releasing Biadasz was a strange move to most. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers quickly after. This puts him in Mike McDaniel's zone-blocking scheme, which thrives on misdirection. Aside from extending Nick Allegretti, the Commanders haven't done anything to fill the void, but Breer's report suggests that could be about to change.
It's hard to put into words just how important resolving this issue is for the Commanders. The center and quarterback need a cohesive relationship. They need to be on the same page and have the chemistry to keep errors to a minimum. And the sooner this complication is rectified, the better Washington's chances will be.
Whether that's Cushenberry or someone else remains to be seen.