Commanders are signing center Tyler Biadasz and D-lineman Dorance Armstrong, AP sources say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first forays into free agency for the Washington Commanders are players new coach Dan Quinn is plenty familiar with.

The team has agreed to deals with center Tyler Biadasz and defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong, according to two people familiar with the agreements. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the contracts cannot be made official until the new league year opens Wednesday.

Quinn, hired last month by new general manager Adam Peters and controlling owner Josh Harris, spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

Biadasz was the Cowboys’ starting center during that entire time. Armstrong has been a reserve with them since 2018, appearing in 47 games and starting 11 for Dallas while Quinn was running the defense.

Signing Biadasz is the latest step in overhauling the offensive line, which allowed quarterback Sam Howell to be sacked an NFL-high 65 times last season. The Commanders released starting left tackle Charles Leno and informed center Nick Gates he was being released.

Armstrong, who has 23 1/2 sacks in his pro career, including 7 1/2 last season, joins a front four that already includes stalwart defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. The addition of the soon-to-be 27-year-old helps Washington fill the edge rushing void left by trading Chase Young to San Francisco and Montez Sweat to Chicago.

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed.

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