Center is near the top of the Green Bay Packers' offseason to-do list. Elgton Jenkins is as good as gone due to his soaring cap hit and declining performances, while Sean Rhyan, who filled in at center, is a free agent.
Three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum leads the free-agent class at the position, but it seems a long shot the Packers can enter that bidding war. It had left them with limited options outside of the draft, but the Washington Commanders just helped them out.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Commanders have released veteran center Tyler Biadasz. It's a surprising move, and there are several reasons why the Packers should give the Wisconsin native a call.
There's one key reason why Tyler Biadasz could skyrocket to the top of the Packers' free-agency priorities
We'll come onto Biadasz's talent in a moment, but there's another key reason why he could land firmly on the Packers' radar.
Two potential departures in free agency, Malik Willis and Rasheed Walker, could land the Packers third-round compensatory draft picks in 2027. However, Green Bay spending big would likely cancel out those losses in the compensatory pick formula. That's the beauty of Biadasz becoming available. As the Commanders released him, signing the veteran center wouldn't impact the Packers' chances of receiving compensatory picks. It's a win-win.
And make no mistake about it, Biadasz would give the Packers a much-needed upgrade at a crucial position along the offensive line. He made a Pro Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 and has been just as important for the Commanders.
It's unclear why the Commanders moved on, as the decision creates less than $3 million in cap space, and they already had the fifth-most available in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus handed the 28-year-old a 70.7 overall grade this past season, ranking 11th among all centers. He also finished 12th in run-blocking and 18th in pass-blocking, earning solid grades across the board.
Dean Jones of Riggo's Rag described Biadasz as the "glue that holds it all together" along the offensive line, and that he has "been a rock at the center position over the last two seasons." Jones believed the veteran was in line for an extension this offseason.
"The starting center has been a model of consistency since joining the Commanders in 2024 free agency," Jones wrote earlier this month. "His pre-snap communication, solid run blocking, and dependable pass protection were a breath of fresh air. He's an unassuming leader, but head coach Dan Quinn trusts him fully to deliver the goods when it comes to the crunch."
The Packers may prefer to draft a center, where several talented prospects could await them on Day 2. But they don't own a first-round pick, thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, which gives them one fewer opportunity to address other needs on defense, like edge-rusher and defensive tackle.
Adding a quality starting center in free agency while not hurting their future compensatory picks would be the perfect scenario.
It sure can't hurt their chances that Biadasz was born in Amherst, Wisconsin, and spent four seasons with the Badgers before the Cowboys selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Biadasz had a year left on his contract in Washington, making this a surprising release. But his availability comes at just the right time for the Packers, who can kick off the roster-building phase of the offseason by immediately addressing a need.