A new era is underway for the Washington Commanders. The worst season of the forgettable Ron Rivera era has mercifully come to a close, opening the door for an entirely fresh start. The newest ownership group in the NFL will introduce a new general manager, a new head coach, and a new defensive coordinator.
The new GM will likely draft a new quarterback. The team has $85.3 million to invest and nine draft picks to make. Forget everything you remember about the Dan Snyder tenure, the Ron Rivera tenure, or the most recent eight-game losing streak. The 2024 Washington Commanders will look and feel completely different.
Command a New Era
The Necessary Loss
As outlined last week, it’s never fun to lose to the Cowboys. Fortunately, the desire for a short-term morale boost didn’t undermine the team’s optimal long-term outcome, and the Commanders secured the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Washington was competitive for most of the first half, taking advantage of two Dallas turnovers in Washington territory before the wheels fell off. Sam Howell dinked and dunked his way to eight yards per completion, taking four sacks and throwing two interceptions. He wasn’t the problem, but he also wasn’t the solution.
The defense allowed Dak Prescott to complete 31 of 36 passes for four touchdowns. Khaleke Hudson and Quan Martin, before leaving with an injury, were the only bright spots for a defense that needs a complete overhaul this offseason. The offensive line was a disaster and gave Howell no chance to operate a competent offense. Sam Cosmi looks like a star at right guard, but he may be the only long-term building block on the entire line. The incoming GM should begin the Commanders new era by investing significant capital into protecting his incoming rookie quarterback.
Organizational Turnaround
Owner Josh Harris wasted no time to demonstrate his desire for a blank slate. He promptly fired Rivera on Black Monday morning, as expected, but dropped a bombshell in the afternoon. Harris hired former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman as consultants to spearhead the search for a new head of football operations and head coach. Both are highly experienced and successful front-office executives, and both are major assets for talent acquisition.
This move appears to have been in the works for some time behind the scenes, as the duo has already compiled a list of interviewees for both open positions. All five GM candidates are assistant general managers for their current teams. The most intriguing name to watch is 49ers AGM Adam Peters, who goes way back with Bob Myers. Peters has interviewed for available general manager positions in the past but has accepted promotions to remain with the 49ers each time. The Raiders also requested an interview with Peters, but Vegas doesn’t offer the same package of draft capital and flexibility that Washington does.
Every one of the head coach candidates currently serves as a coordinator for a playoff team. This is a sign that the ownership group is looking to prioritize winning above all, a culture that multiple players have openly begged for. It also means that more than likely, none of the interviews will take place until after the coach’s respective team is eliminated from the playoffs. Of the confirmed options, Lions OC Ben Johnson, Ravens DC Mike Macdonald, and Texans OC Bobby Slowik should be at the top of the list. All are 37 years old or younger, have led elite units this season, and would usher in a new Commanders era that Ron Rivera never could.
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