Josh Harris took over as owner of the Washington Commanders almost exactly five months ago. Harris noted when he took over, there was plenty to do, but his ownership group’s focus was on upgrading FedEx Field, the 2023 season and improving fan relations.
Thirteen games into the season, the Commanders are 4-9, and there are four games remaining. It’s expected that Harris will move on from head coach Ron Rivera and at least some in the front office. Harris always intended to give Rivera the 2023 season and has enjoyed a healthy working relationship with the coach.
But Harris is always looking ahead. He was present at last week’s NFL owners meetings in Dallas. What was so significant about the most recent owners meetings? It was the NFL’s Front Office & General Manager Accelerator Program. The goal of the program is to “strengthen the pipeline of diverse candidates across all levels of the league.”
According to CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, Harris, along with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, were the two owners “most active and engaged” with participants in the program.
Sources said the two team owners most active and engaged with participants at the program were Washington’s Josh Harris and Tepper, both of whom could have GM openings by the end of the season. League sources believe as many as a half-dozen GM jobs will be open.
These meetings are important. As Jones noted, it was last year’s Accelerator meetings where Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk met Ran Carthon. Tennessee hired Carthon as its general manager in January.
While Washington fans are impatient due to another meaningless year of December football, Harris has preached patience. In January, Harris will likely begin reshaping the Commanders in his vision.