What makes Nick Allegretti confident he can thrive as Washington Commanders center

The Commanders released center Tyler Biadasz on Feb. 26, well before NFL free agency began. They didn’t sign a replacement during a period where they were flush with cap space and spent big in others areas of perceived need. They didn’t conclude free-agency’s early waves with a tight budget. They still have plenty of salary-cap space should they choose to use it.  

Washington didn’t use any of it on a center. They did add to the position by selecting Michigan State product Matt Gulbin in the sixth round of the NFL draft, though the No. 209 overall draft slot doesn’t typically portend an instant impact.  

Those actions suggest they’re comfortable going with Nick Allegretti at the all-important center spot.  

The fact wasn’t lost on the eighth-year veteran.  

“It means a ton,” Allegretti said in a press conference after Tuesday’s OTA session. “All I could ask for is the ability to prove myself. I’m proud that I was able to show them the mental side of the game and the abilities I have on the physical side as well. I love the leadership side of this game, and I think that’s something they know. Anyone can lead on a team, but at center you’re given so many opportunities to do that.” 

Allegretti has played two full NFL games and a handful of other snaps at center – including one in Week 18 last season — compared to extensive work and experience as a guard. That includes a 2024 campaign in Washington, where he played 1,372 snaps on the left side.  

The Illinois product believes he’s a center at heart despite those facts.  

“Center has been my position kind of my whole life,” Allegretti said. “My opportunities have come at guard, so that’s where I took advantage of those opportunities. But I love center. I love the mental side of the game.” 

It’s a challenging place to play. It’s mentally demanding, making important calls and protection adjustments at the line of scrimmage. The Commanders will also work a fair amount with quarterback Jayden Daniels under center. Allegretti said he must be quick on wide-zone pulls and getting to the second level after starting on the ball, and then be accurate with shotgun snaps, among other aspects of this move.  

Allgretti is ready and excited about this opportunity to play a position he loves and work in lockstep with Daniels.  

“I have an awesome rapport with Jayden. I have since I got here,” Allegretti said. “I always treated myself as a center when I was at guard. I would go to the center-quarterback meetings. There’s a good relationship there and I’m excited to continue to grow that.”