The Washington Commanders were forced into seismic changes along their offensive line in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. Going into any contest without Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and stud right guard Sam Cosmi isn't ideal, but it provided one veteran on the fringes with a final chance at redemption.
Nick Allegretti seized it with both hands. And it may have saved his job.
Allegretti has been seldom seen in the starting lineup since getting benched after just two games. Most fans thought the free-agent signing in 2024 would be a prime salary-cap candidate during the offseason. That might still be the case, but he did his chances of seeing out the deal a tremendous amount of good versus the Cowboys on Christmas Day.
Nick Allegretti finally showed what he could bring to the Commanders
The former Illinois standout slotted into the right guard position in Cosmi's absence. Allegretti looked much more assured than usual, especially given that he was up against Cowboys interior defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. And when another injury inevitably arrived, the player proved his versatility in the line of fire.
Tyler Biadasz left the game with knee and ankle injuries. He did not return, and with no specialist center available to fill the void, the Commanders turned to Allegretti.
It could have legitimately gone either way, but Allegretti was ready for the moment. He communicated well with veteran quarterback Josh Johnson. He kept things ticking over nicely and ensured everyone was on the same page. This wasn't enough for the Commanders to claw back an early deficit, but a large share of the blame lies with Washington's inept defense.
What this means for Allegretti's future remains to be seen. He's counting $7.17 million against Washington's salary cap next season. If Chris Paul gets extended, all five starting offensive linemen will return. That would make the Super Bowl winner a relatively expensive backup option, but his versatility and his experience could be enough to get a reprieve.
That's for the future. For now, Allegretti will once again be tasked with significant responsibilities in Week 18. If he can perform just as well against the vaunted Philadelphia Eagles defensive front — be it at the guard spot or the center position — that's only going to bolster his hopes of sticking around in 2026.
Time will tell, but good depth on the offensive line is hard to find. Allegretti may not be starting-caliber, but he's proven adept at slotting in at a moment's notice and producing the goods.
There's a lot to be said for having that trait in your locker.