The Los Angeles Chargers wasted no time addressing a glaring need on their offensive line, agreeing to terms with former Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz on a three-year, $30 million deal. The move, which became public early Friday morning, comes just days after Biadasz was released by Washington in a salary cap maneuver, and before the official start of NFL free agency. With the Chargers set to lose several key pieces up front, Biadasz’s arrival signals a new chapter for the team’s interior line—and perhaps a shift in strategy under general manager Joe Hortiz.
Biadasz, 28, steps in to replace Bradley Bozeman, who retired in February after anchoring the Chargers’ center position for two seasons. Bozeman’s departure, coupled with the pending free agency of left guard Zion Johnson and the recent release of right guard Mekhi Becton, left Los Angeles with urgent holes to fill. The Chargers’ swift action in landing Biadasz, who was eligible to sign immediately after his release, shows just how highly they valued his skill set and experience.
The Wisconsin product brings a strong pedigree to Los Angeles. Drafted in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, Biadasz quickly established himself as a reliable starter, playing all 49 games for Dallas and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2022. After signing a three-year, $29.5 million contract with Washington in 2024, he started 31 games over two seasons, pairing with quarterback Jayden Daniels and helping the Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game in 2024. His release in late February 2026, which saved Washington $2.885 million in immediate cap space and up to $8.3 million with a post-June 1 designation, was seen as a cost-cutting move rather than a reflection of performance.
Performance, in fact, has been a calling card for Biadasz. Last season, he posted a career-high 70.7 overall grade and a 71.2 run block grade from Pro Football Focus, both tops in his career. He finished 11th among 40 NFL centers in PFF’s 2025 rankings, standing out with above-average marks in both zone and gap run blocking. His 98.0 pass-blocking efficiency is a testament to his reliability in protecting the quarterback, and he allowed just three sacks and 21 pressures over 16 games before a knee and ankle injury landed him on injured reserve in December.
Comparisons to his predecessor are favorable—Biadasz graded higher than Bozeman in both pass block win rate (15th to 30th) and run block win rate (16th to 18th) last season. With the Chargers’ offensive line in flux, his presence provides a stabilizing force and gives the team a much-needed anchor as they look to retool around quarterback Justin Herbert. The move also gives Los Angeles flexibility: Biadasz’s contract is reportedly structured so that the first-year cap hit is less than the $10 million average annual value, leaving the Chargers with more than $90 million in cap space to address other roster needs.
The signing does not count toward the compensatory pick formula, a key detail for a front office that expects to be active in free agency. With Zion Johnson’s future uncertain and the right guard spot vacant, the Chargers still have work to do up front. Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, and Biadasz are the only offensive linemen on standard contracts, while Ben Cleveland, Branson Taylor, and Josh Kaltenberger are on futures deals. The team will likely continue to prioritize the offensive line in both free agency and the draft, but locking down center was a top priority—and now, it’s checked off the list.
Interest in Biadasz was not limited to Los Angeles. After the sudden retirement of Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, reports swirled that Biadasz might visit Chicago. However, those rumors were quickly debunked. As clarified by multiple sources, Biadasz never visited the Bears, and the transaction logs for the week confirm as much. While the Bears remain in need of a center, Biadasz’s decision to join the Chargers came swiftly after his visit to Los Angeles on March 5.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions, who are $6 million over the salary cap, also lost out on a potential solution at center. With Biadasz off the market, Detroit may look to shift Tate Ratledge to the position or focus on guards in free agency and the draft. The Lions had considered Biadasz a cost-effective alternative to higher-priced options like Tyler Linderbaum or Connor McGovern, but the Chargers’ aggressive pursuit closed that door before free agency officially opened.
Biadasz’s career has been marked by durability and consistency, though his 2025 campaign was cut short by a torn ACL in December. Despite the injury, his performance remained strong, and his run-blocking and overall grades were among the best of his career. His release by Washington was a surprise to some, given his status as one of their best interior linemen and his role in their recent playoff run. According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, Biadasz was considered the best center in the NFC East entering the 2025 season, outperforming even Pro Bowlers like Philadelphia’s Cam Jurgens in pass protection.
For the Chargers, the move signals a commitment to protecting Herbert and establishing a more physical presence up front. The team had been linked to other free agent centers such as Tyler Linderbaum and Connor McGovern, but Biadasz’s availability and price point made him an attractive target. As Ian Rapoport reported, "The Chargers make a splash before free agency, agreeing to terms with C Tyler Biadasz on a 3-year deal worth $30M." The deal, negotiated by Athletes First, gives Biadasz a raise over the $8.3 million he was set to earn in Washington and reflects the Chargers’ confidence in his ability to anchor their line.
Biadasz’s resume is impressive beyond his NFL accomplishments. A Rimington Award winner as the nation’s top center in college, he brings leadership and championship experience from his days at Wisconsin. His ability to adapt to different schemes—zone, gap, and true pass sets—should help the Chargers as they retool their offense for the 2026 season. With two starting spots still to fill at guard, the work isn’t done, but the biggest question mark has been answered.
As the NFL’s legal tampering period approaches, the Chargers have already made one of the offseason’s first big moves. Biadasz can’t officially sign until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but all indications are the deal is done. The NFL world is watching closely to see how Los Angeles continues to reshape its roster, but for now, the Bolts have their man at center—and a foundation on which to build.