The Washington Commanders came out of their preseason loss to the Detroit Lions with a familiar worry hanging over everything: the offensive line still looks shaky, and center is the biggest problem spot.
Nick Allegretti remains out with the calf strain he suffered on the first day of training camp, and the stopgap plan behind him did not hold up in Ford Field. Julian Good-Jones was beaten on the Commanders’ only drive with the starting offense, with Jayden Daniels pressured on both dropbacks and sacked once. At this point, Washington needs help from outside the building.
One name that fits is Graham Glasgow, and the fit is hard to ignore. Glasgow spent seven of his 10 NFL seasons with the Lions, and he once snapped the ball for David Blough, who is now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator. He also appears open to the idea of a move if Washington calls.
Glasgow was released by Detroit this past spring and has not signed elsewhere since. He is 34, but that still makes him a workable option in the middle of an offensive line, especially for a team looking for stability and depth.
At minimum, he would give Washington a veteran presence. If needed, he could also step in as a starter.
That matters because the Commanders do not have much else to lean on if Allegretti’s injury lingers into the regular season. Good-Jones is not a realistic answer, and sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin looks more like a developmental project than someone ready to anchor the line right away.
Washington’s problems at center started earlier this offseason when the team released Tyler Biadasz. General manager Adam Peters expected to find an upgrade, but that never happened. The Commanders also missed on Tyler Linderbaum after the Las Vegas Raiders came in with a record-breaking offer in free agency, leaving Peters to move Allegretti from backup duty into a role he has not played much.
Even if Allegretti gets healthy, the whole setup carries risk. The Commanders already have left tackle Laremy Tunsil out, and with one of their best players missing, they cannot afford for the middle of the line to become another weak link.
For a team trying to protect Jayden Daniels and keep the offense from unraveling, the path is clear: bring in Glasgow and stabilize the spot before Week 1.
In Other News...
Commanders Face Tough 53-Man Calls After Surprise Preseason Risers
Two preseason games are enough to sharpen a lot of roster conversations, and Washington is now in the thick of them as final cuts approach. The Commanders have spent the past couple of weeks sorting through the back end of the roster, with the evaluation process taking on extra weight after Marcus Mariotas injury created an opening behind center.
Athan Kaliakmanis has taken advantage of the chance and has strengthened his case as a backup quarterback with his recent play. He is part of a small group of surprise risers, along with Joshua Josephs and Kaytron Allen, who have helped make some of these 53-man decisions more complicated than they looked a short time ago. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Sent Commanders A Clear Message After That Lions Showing
The Commanders altered their usual Monday routine by scrapping a walk-through and instead going with a full practice, a clear sign that Dan Quinn wanted a sharper response after an underwhelming showing against the Lions. Quinn then met with reporters afterward, and the shift in schedule fit the tone of a coach trying to keep standards high rather than let a preseason performance linger in the building.
It also came at the right time, with a joint practice against the Ravens looming and a tougher stretch of evaluation ahead. For a team trying to establish habits early, the message from Quinn was simple enough to read between the lines: no easing up, no settling in, and no room for complacency just because it is August. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Still Have One Major Problem In Front Of Jayden Daniels
Dan Quinn left little doubt after Washingtons latest preseason game that one of the last unresolved spots on the roster remains right in front of Jayden Daniels. The Commanders still have not settled on a starting center, with Julian Good-Jones and rookie Matt Gulbin splitting snaps while Nick Allegretti works back from injury. It is the kind of timing issue that can ripple through an offense, especially for a young quarterback who needs the line and the communication in front of him to be as steady as possible.
The competition has not produced a clear answer yet, and the calendar is not offering much help. Washington has limited time and limited options to sort out the position before the regular season begins, which puts added pressure on every practice rep and every preseason decision still to come. For a team trying to build around Daniels, center is suddenly one of the most important spots left to solve. [Read more 🡒]