January 15, 2024, the Washington Commanders introduce Adam Peters as their new general manager.
Just three days earlier, Adam Schefter had tweeted, announcing the Commanders were hiring Peters.
Season’s first general manager hire: Commanders are hiring 49ers’ assistant GM Adam Peters as their general manager, sources tell ESPN.
Peters won Super Bowls while working in New England and Denver, and has been in SF since 2017, helping build one of the NFL’s top rosters. pic.twitter.com/oFMwfH0Lpw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2024
Ironically, just days earlier, when clearing out his locker, guard Sam Cosmi said on camera, “I want to be around a winning culture. I want to be around winning teams. That’s up to Mr. Harris and the other owners to figure out.”
The Commanders had just finished 4-13, having been blown out several times and not even fielding a competitive team. Harris fired GM/HC Ron Rivera, saying, “We didn’t get it done on the field, so we’ve decided to take a new direction.”
Harris immediately announced that he would lead the search for a new general manager, assisted by his ownership partners. Harris then surprised everyone by bringing in two additional experienced executives: Bob Myers (Golden State Warriors) and Rick Spielman (Minnesota Vikings).
Peters quickly convinced them he was a good, experienced, and knowledgeable candidate. On the 15th, when he was announced as the new GM, Peters described Washington as “a cornerstone franchise, a pillar of the NFL.”
Peters spoke of the new ownership group, making this a very enviable job, a job he wanted. He referred to the new ownership group as good human beings and said that he would keep adding to that in those he would hire.
At the press conference, Peters was humbly reminded by the sound of one of his very young daughters asking if he would come back to their hotel and be with them. It was adorable, reminding us that we want an intelligent, winning GM, but Peters is first a husband and second a father.
When asked about the roster he was inheriting, Peters noticeably paused, then spoke of a few cornerstone pieces, but honestly said he had a lot of work to do. Little did we know…
“First thing is a head coach,” proclaimed Peters. “We’ve got to find a great head coach. We will find a great head coach. I’m confident of that.”
Peters would hire Dan Quinn, and this was to the displeasure of much of the fan base. But Peters was correct, and the many who were unhappy with Peter’s choice of Dan Quinn would soon be proven wrong.
In April came the draft. Peters selected Jayden Daniels, Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristil.
In only one season, they’ve gone from 4-13 to winning a 13th game in the Wild Card, defeating the Bucs 23-20.
It’s early, but at least we can ask, “Will Adam Peters and Dan Quinn become this generation’s Bobby Beathard and Joe Gibbs?
They have already provided evidence, leading us to hope they might just be.