All articles tagged with #center
Chicago Blackhawks rookie Anton Frondell has surged in nine NHL games, scoring three goals and eight points while moving from wing to center, and is leading the team in points during his first stretch in the NHL, praised for his elite defensive instincts and quick adaptation despite limited practice time.
Trevor Zegras, traded to Philadelphia from Anaheim, found his stride after Flyers coach Rick Tocchet moved him back to center as a test run post-Brink trade. In 17 games since the switch, Philadelphia has gone 12-4-1, Zegras has tallied 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists), and the team has surged into playoff contention, highlighted by a 5-1 road win over New Jersey where he opened with two goals. While questions remain about whether he’ll remain at center long-term, his resurgence has provided a beacon for the Flyers’ late-season push and underscored the need for continued improvement at the No. 1 center role.
The Minnesota Vikings’ updated free-agent big board focuses on realistic, mid-tier targets across quarterback, center, defensive tackle, safety, cornerback, and punter rather than splashy signs. Kyler Murray is the likely one-year quarterback, with Rodgers or Cousins as backups if needed. Center options include Ethan Pocic, Cushenberry, Glasgow, Daniels, and Corbett. Defensive-tackle targets feature Sebastian Joseph-Day, Larry Ogunjobi, Dalvin Tomlinson, D.J. Reader, and Jihad Ward. Safeties to consider are Jaquan Brisker, Kyle Dugger, Geno Stone, Donovan Wilson, and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Cornerbacks on the radar include Cam Taylor-Britt, Marshon Lattimore, Jack Jones, Trevon Diggs, and Roger McCreary. For specialists, punters like Matt Haack, Bradley Pinion, Corliss Waitman, Sam Martin, and Johnny Hecker are in play. The team has already re-signed Aaron Jones and James Pierre and will continue to pursue depth rather than blockbuster moves, with updates as players come off the board.
The Raiders reportedly signed Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract, paying about $27 million per year and boosting the NFL center market by roughly 50% from previous highs, raising questions about potential overpayment and signaling changes to franchise-tag dynamics for interior linemen.
Las Vegas Raiders reportedly signed Ravens Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal (about $27 million per year with roughly $60 million guaranteed), a record for the position that Baltimore reportedly couldn’t match. The Ravens now seek a replacement (with Corey Bullock among options) while the Raiders bolster their line for Klint Kubiak’s stretch-zone scheme; the article also notes a rumored trade involving Maxx Crosby as part of the overhaul.
Three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, including $60 million guaranteed. The deal resets the center market and gives the Raiders a top run-blocking anchor to support Klint Kubiak’s offense as they rebuild their line after placing the Ravens’ fifth-year option under pressure.
Center Tyler Linderbaum is a top free-agent target as the Ravens seek to re-sign him amid a market that could push his price above $20 million per year; other teams like the Raiders, Commanders and Titans are in the mix, while Albert Breer notes his camp is aiming for roughly $25 million annually—well above Creed Humphrey's deal—leaving his destination uncertain despite his three-time Pro Bowl status and durability.
Green Bay re-signed offensive lineman Sean Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million contract (potentially up to $39 million) with an $11 million signing bonus, after he started at right guard and then mainly at center following Elgton Jenkins’ injury. While not elite, he’s now paid among the league’s top centers, and the deal largely ends Jenkins’ return to Green Bay and reshapes the guard spot as Rhyan develops at center.
The Buffalo Bills secured center Connor McGovern to a four-year, $52 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, keeping him off the free-agent market and stabilizing the interior protection for Josh Allen. The timing is notable due to potential void-date issues that could trigger a $4.8 million dead-cap hit in 2026 if not addressed. McGovern, who has started 49 regular-season games and seven playoff games for Buffalo and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024, joined the Bills in 2023 after being with the Cowboys, with GM Brandon Beane prioritizing his continuation to maintain a strong offensive line.
After trading Colby Wooden for Zaire Franklin to start at middle linebacker, the Packers’ three biggest needs are nose tackle, center, and cornerback, with cap gymnastics likely driving the strategy for free agency and the draft (potential targets include Javon Hargrave, Dalvin Tomlinson, Khyiris Tonga, and Roy Lopez).
Buffalo re-signs starting center Connor McGovern to a four-year, $52 million contract with $32 million guaranteed, keeping him at center as Buffalo prepares for free agency.
In response to the Commanders releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz, fans favor a veteran free-agent replacement (Cushenberry, McGovern, Pocic, Mays, Lindebaum) over a Day-3 draft pick, with Nick Allegretti seen as the interim option. GM Adam Peters, now in his third year, retains broad but imperfect fan support (about 60% confident, with some doubts). Washington has 56 players under contract, six draft picks, and roughly $87.6 million in cap space, giving Peters room to pursue about $75 million in veteran free agency while planning for a playoff return in 2026.
Vikings center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement at 32 after a ten-season NFL career, including nine with the Colts; he joined Minnesota last offseason, started eight games in 2025, and was placed on injured reserve in December after suffering his third concussion. A former No. 18 overall pick in 2016 with four Pro Bowls and a 2020 second-team All-Pro honor, Kelly started 129 career games. The Vikings now must find a new center for 2026.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million deal to be their starting center in 2026, upgrading the interior line ahead of free agency. Biadasz, who started 34 games for Washington and 57 for Dallas and is healthy after injuries, provides a smart mid-market option to stabilize the line behind Justin Herbert as the team reshuffles interior blockers.
The Chargers reached a three-year, $30 million contract with Tyler Biadasz after his visit, adding a proven starter who played 31 games for Washington over the last two seasons to fill the center role after Bradley Bozeman retired; Biadasz also drew interest from the Bears during free agency.