Commanders Sign Giants' Nick Gates to Contract; New Starting Center?

New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates is staying in the NFC East, but he moves to the nation's capital to join the Washington Commanders.

The Washington Commanders are bolstering their offensive line, signing interior offensive lineman Nick Gates to a three-year deal.

Gates spent the first five years of his career with the New York Giants. He started three games in 2019 before working his way into a starting role in 2020.

On Sept. 16, 2021, Gates suffered a fracture to his fibula and tibia at Washington. The gruesome injury forced him to miss the rest of the season and the start of the 2022 season. Gates eventually returned for the Giants and started eight games for New York this past season.

Now, his story comes full circle, as he’ll likely start on the interior of the Commanders offensive line in 2023. 

Washington allowed the seventh-most sacks in the 2022 season with 48, so Gates is expected to help lower that number in 2023.

Gates saw time at center and guard for the Giants. His three-year deal adds competition to an interior offensive line that had Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier and Trai Turner see significant playing time for Washington. Turner is a free agent, so Gates could be brought in to play guard, but there's a chance he could be coming to Washington to replace Roullier at center.

The signing of Gates is the first outside free agent the Commanders have signed. Washington signed defensive tackled Daron Payne to a four-year $90 million extension and re-signed cornerback Danny Johnson to a two-year deal. 

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