Commanders sign veteran center Nick Martin

In response to losing their staring center for the foreseeable future, the Commanders are making an addition at the position. Washington has reached agreement on a deal with veteran Nick Martin and will add him to the 53-man roster (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). 

Martin, 29, was a second-round pick of the Texans in 2016, though he was sidelined until the 2017 campaign by an ankle injury. Throughout his four-year tenure in Houston, he started all 62 games he appeared in. He received middling overall PFF grades along the way but was rated highly in pass protection in particular.

That earned him a three-year, $33M extension in 2019. Despite remaining a starter after signing that deal, though, the Notre Dame alumnus was released in 2021. On the open market for the first time in his career, Martin joined the Raiders on a much less lucrative one-year contract that same offseason. Even in the absence of Rodney Hudson, Martin was unable to win the starting job, however, and played just seven offensive snaps during the campaign.

That resulted in a lengthy stay on the open market this summer and a brief stint with the Saints. Martin was signed to New Orleans’ practice squad after roster cutdowns but has since been released. He will look to return to playing form with Washington, something that will likely require some time given his status as a backup last season.

Martin will look to compete for the starting role vacated for, potentially, the entire season by Chase Roullier. The team’s list of internal replacement options is topped by fellow veteran Wes Schweitzer, who was reported Monday to be the favorite to take over first-team pivot duties. He now has experienced competition to deal with as the Commanders look to soften the blow of losing a key member of their offensive front.