At one point in former owner Daniel Snyder’s tenure, he could get almost any free agent he wanted to sign with Washington. Snyder often had to overpay, but if a desirable free agent visited Ashburn, he usually signed.
That changed when Bruce Allen came aboard at the end of 2009. Over the next 14 years of Snyder’s tenure, he was often cheap, and Washington was left to sign value free agents with very few options.
Once Snyder quit overpaying, it was difficult to land quality free agents with options. Add in the constant losing, bad facilities, the NFL’s worst stadium, and other things, and you can see why Washington struggled.
Snyder is gone and things have already improved. In the first full offseason under new owner Josh Harris, the Commanders hired a new general manager (Adam Peters) and head coach (Dan Quinn). Washington was active in free agency but did not break the bank on any one player.
Fans are excited again, and one reason is Peters. The Commanders would never have landed someone with his qualifications and options if Snyder had remained. And Peters has filled his front office with some of the brightest minds around the NFL. Again, this wouldn’t have happened under Snyder.
The same is true for Quinn’s coaching staff. Quinn hired an outstanding coaching staff because coaches wanted to work with him.
Times have changed.
More proof times have changed for the Commanders: They are no longer atop lists naming them the least desirable trade destination.
Bleacher Report recently named the five least desirable NFL trade destinations ahead of training camp, and surprise, Washington is not included:
Here’s the list:
- New York Giants
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
An NFC East is one of the least desirable destinations — and it’s not Washington.
Of course, the Commanders need to win, but there is an optimism surrounding the organization that hasn’t existed in many years.
While not making a list of “least desirable situations” would not be news for most teams, it’s progress for Washington.