Perfect Offensive Lineman Enters the Chat for Vikings
Nobody knows why, but the Washington Commanders released center Tyler Biadasz on Thursday, adding to the talent of this year’s free-agent crop. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, might need a center if Ryan Kelly retires.
Minnesota needs a real center plan, and Biadasz offers a ready-made starter with the right price range.
Several teams will pursue him, but Biadasz makes undeniable sense for the Vikings in 2026.
Biadasz Fits Minnesota’s Urgency at Center
He’s better than Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens.
Commanders Drop Biadasz
Biadasz’s time in the nation’s capital has unceremoniously ended.
ESPN’s John Keim wrote Thursday, “The Washington Commanders released starting center Tyler Biadasz, a source confirmed Thursday, freeing up more salary cap space but creating another need. Washington saves $2.885 million in salary cap space — the Commanders have the fifth-most cap space available but now have only 52 players signed for 2026.”
“The Commanders will save $8.3 million this season if they designate his release to a post-June 1 cut and the savings would not go into effect until that time. Biadasz had signed a three-year deal with $20.7 million guaranteed two years ago as part of general manager Adam Peters’ first free agent class in Washington.”
So, Biadasz will hit the open market, expected to gain plenty of interest.
Everyone Wonders … Why?
The Commanders getting rid of Biadasz — out of nowhere — would be like the Vikings releasing Blake Cashman, Isaiah Rodgers, or Josh Metellus. No one would understand it.
CommandersWire‘s Ivan Lambert scribed, “I am reading that again to let that one sink in. Why in the world do the Commanders need to save salary cap space by releasing a player they have praised repeatedly the last two years? Especially, when that player (Biadasz) has a cap hit in 2026 of only $10,985,294, per Over the Cap.”
“Will somebody help me with this one, please? Biadasz, as your starting center, has been effective, and he is a very important piece for your third-year franchise quarterback, but you “need” to release him? Why don’t you “need” to release Payne, who has underachieved and is scheduled to cost you 17 million dollars more than Biadasz?”
When people who write about the Commanders for a living don’t understand it at all, you know the move is bizarre.
Lambert added, “With a post June 1 designation, releasing Biadasz will save $8.2 million vs. the cap. Dead money would be around $2.7M this year and 4.5M next year. However, if Over the Cap is correct, the Commanders, by releasing Payne with a post-June 1 designation, would enjoy a $22,350,000 cap savings.”
“What is going on? Ok, I’ve vented, assuming they are wrong.”
Commanders’ faithful will continue to search for the meaning of Biadasz’s release — and Washington will need a new center.
Biadasz’s Career Production
Biadasz isn’t a floundering lineman who divides fan bases. He’s pretty damn sturdy. Here’s a look at his Pro Football Focus Resume through seven seasons:
2025: 70.7
2024: 64.2
2023: 69.2
2022: 60.5
2021: 65.4
2020: 53.5
He’s also durable, starting 94% of games for the Cowboys and Commanders since the start of 2021.
It truly feels like Washington either released Biadasz on a whim or someone made a mistake. There’s no good reason to offload him a) in general b) without a promising youngster waiting to take over.
The Vikings’ Need for a Center
Entering free agency, Minnesota actually has three centers (or men who can play center) on the roster: Ryan Kelly, Michael Jurgens, and Blake Brandel.
But no one knows if Kelly will retire after the flurry of scary concussions in 2025. Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on Kelly earlier this month, “The Vikings would save $8.75 million by releasing Kelly this spring; he has no guaranteed money left in his deal, so they could take their time if they wanted to gauge the market. Kelly’s concussion history could also lead him to consider retirement.”
“The Vikings will likely be thinking about their future at the position even if Kelly, who turns 33 in May, decides he wants to return in 2026.”
His main backup, Jurgens, is a late-rounder from the 2024 NFL Draft; it’s unclear whether he’ll latch on as a long-term starter or live up to his draft stock as a backup. And Brandel, well, he plays every offensive line position. Perhaps he’ll settle in at center. Perhaps not.
That’s a long way of saying the Vikings probably need a center, and Biadasz checks all boxes.
He’ll turn 29 around Thanksgiving.
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