Matt Gulbin’s first preseason action with the Washington Commanders comes with plenty hanging over it.
When the team used a sixth-round pick on the center, there was some early belief from experts and fans that he might quickly challenge veteran Nick Allegretti for the starting job. Even head coach Dan Quinn described it as a competition earlier in the offseason. But that never really played out that way.
Instead, the Commanders have taken a slower route with the Day 3 pick, and Gulbin is heading into his preseason debut with a lot still left to show.
That caution showed up right away in camp. When Allegretti went down with a calf strain during the opening training camp practice, Washington still didn’t hand the job to Gulbin.
The team went with veteran Julian Good-Jones as the starting anchor in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels, even though his camp work has been described as subpar at best. There’s still a clear reluctance to push Gulbin forward too fast.
Now the preseason is where that changes. Washington is expected to give him plenty of opportunities to prove himself, and the first-year pro needs to show enough to build confidence in what he can become down the line. Nothing less will do.
Gulbin’s college tape at Wake Forest and Michigan State gave the Commanders reasons to believe. He may not be the biggest or most athletic lineman, but he developed a reputation as a reliable pass protector with a firm base, strong hands, and a relentless style. His leadership and versatility also helped sell Washington on the pick, but there’s still plenty of work ahead.
That’s the whole point of the preseason for players like Gulbin. It’s the stage for guys on the edge of the roster to make their case, and it gives the Commanders a real look at how much their younger players have absorbed. Gulbin is right in the middle of that evaluation.
His roster spot isn’t in danger, but he can’t disappear into the background either. If he needs more time to settle in, that’s fine. But with questions lingering about Allegretti’s ability to handle center after Tyler Biadasz’s surprising release, Washington is going to watch every step closely.
Gulbin hasn’t forced his way into the starting conversation, and that’s okay for now. He’s still adjusting, still learning the finer points, still getting the time he needs to develop. The preseason will give him a chance to keep growing, and it will also put him against players who are fighting for their own NFL lives.
There will be rough patches. What matters is whether he comes out of it looking more promising than shaky.
His path to a rookie role in Washington is still a long shot, but he needs to be ready as a versatile backup. After a summer full of twists, he has a chance to ease some of the concern against the Miami Dolphins.
If he doesn’t, the doubts around him are only going to get louder.
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The depth chart reflects how steep the climb has become. Hartman is currently the lowest-ranked quarterback on the roster, and his path forward is far from clear as the team continues sorting through its options. For a player still trying to establish himself in Washington, the question is no longer just whether he can win a job, but whether there will be a place for him in the building at all. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A Backup QB Concern They Cant Ignore
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Dan Quinn did not have an immediate update after the game, leaving the team to wait for a clearer picture on Mariotas condition. For a Washington roster trying to sort out depth behind the starter, any issue with the top backup is the kind of concern that can linger longer than a single preseason outing. [Read more 🡒]