The Washington Commanders have new possession and a brand new GM, with a brand new coach and quarterback presumably on the way in which as properly. Like a canine who lastly catches the mailman, followers within the DMV pined for Dan Snyder’s elimination with such fervor that I’m unsure they know what to do now that it’s occurred. It’s uncommon for any skilled franchise to wipe the slate completely clear, so there’s a load of essential choices in retailer over the approaching months.
There are two paths ahead. The primary is what the workforce seems to be doing: Rent a GM from a good entrance workplace and let him construct the roster and training employees accordingly. Adam Peters comes over from San Francisco, and it wouldn’t shock me in in the slightest degree to see a token younger offensive coordinator get referred to as as much as the bigs.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson have each garnered curiosity from the group that hasn’t even launched Peters but. (That’s taking place right this moment.) Who is aware of what sort of back-alley communications Washington and Peters have had a few potential rent, however it’s a must to assume there’s been some discourse.
Pair a budding coach with a blue-chip quarterback and allow them to develop collectively. Not each younger coordinator and quarterback are created equal so it’s not threat free. Throw in a first-time proprietor and GM, and that’s plenty of rookies.
Nonetheless, it’s a strong thought course of, as a result of underneath earlier possession, candidates had been chosen by how good they made Snyder really feel about himself. Dan Quinn would have a handshake settlement already in place, playoff drubbing be damned.
This brings me to my second route ahead: Repeat earlier errors.
Ron Rivera and Quinn would possibly as properly be the identical individual. In case you’re going to do this, draft Drake Maye and see how lengthy it takes for him to show into Sam Howell. If proprietor Josh Harris was determined to win straight away, he would’ve waited to rent a GM till after he made Invoice Belichick an all-encompassing tyrant provide that solely the ex-Pat would possibly refuse.
My guess is the Hoodie isn’t going to a spot the place he doesn’t have last say on personnel choices. If he did, maybe he’d belief a GM who was a scout with him for a couple of years in New England? Yeah, I doubt so, too. Seeing as this third choice is a pipe dream, let’s think about the primary two.
There’s not likely a center floor between GM-down-to-QB studying on the job and a retread coach who thinks he is aware of finest as a result of he’s failed at this earlier than. The Commanders don’t need to nail this subsequent rent. There’s a post-Snyder grace interval, however a chance to hit the reset button, not less than like this, doesn’t come round too usually.
The membership with the second decide within the 2023 NFL Draft remains to be enjoying behind its stellar rookie coach and QB, which is what makes Washington’s place intriguing. Do Harris and Peters get antsy about one other workforce buying and selling up and stealing the No. 1 QB on their draft board or do they let another person make that call for them?
Of the out there head coach openings, the Commanders arguably have probably the most coveted. It’s as contemporary of a begin as you’re going to search out within the NFL and comes with a reinvigorated fan base wanting to re-embrace its workforce. The expectations are “Be better than Dan Snyder and Ron Rivera.”
That received’t be too troublesome of a bar to clear, but with all of the wide-eyed potential, there’s an opportunity to set a brand new commonplace, one hopefully as much as the standing of the Washington soccer workforce.
