WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders' new general manger Adam Peters attended his first news conference after signing with the team on Monday, and he addressed some burning questions on the top of mind for many fans.
The 44-year-old California native was selected for the front office role after meeting with Commanders Owner Josh Harris and his advisory team last week at Harris’s home in Miami. He was being interviewed for the head of football operations position but was hired with the title of general manager.
Peters most recently worked as the assistant general manager for the San Francisco 49ers. He's been John Lynch's right-hand man since Lynch became San Francisco's GM in 2017. Peters has been with the NFL for more than 20 years. With his skill and knowledge, he was one of the most sought-after front-office men in the league.
“We set out to find a leader," said Commanders' owner Josh Harris. "Someone who can take this franchise to the next level, and build an elite team. One that consistently competes for championships. With Adam – I think we have the right leader. He’s a winner. He’s made an incredible impact everywhere he’s been”
When asked what appealed to him most about Washington, Peters said, “Everything. Everything is exactly what a person in my seat would want. A great ownership group, a great fanbase – the ability to start new with a new coach. All of those things were so appealing to me. Going through this process, it was very clear to me at a very early time, right when I met with Josh, this is where I want to be.”
After finishing the season with the abysmal record of 4-13, the Commanders are likely to see some serious roster changes before the beginning of the 2025 season. Peters seems to believe there are currently some pieces on the team to build around.
“I believe that there’s a few cornerstone pieces on this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do, just evaluating everybody. And that’s going to start with coaches,” Peters said.
The most glaring hole in the franchise, of course, is the absence of a head coach. After releasing Ron Rivera, the question on everyone's mind is who is going to take his spot.
“We’re looking for the best leader for this team, for the Washington Commanders," Peters said. "We have certain criteria that we’re going to be aligned in that vision. And it’s not going to be in a box. It’s not going to be offense. It’s not going to be defense. It’s going to be the best leader for this organization.”
When WUSA9's Chick Hernandez asked Peters about the most important factor in hiring a head coach, Peters responded, “In any head coach, in any leader – it’s leadership. Great communication. Being able to be honest, direct, and upfront. Have all those qualities, and they’re all intertwined, but those are all the main qualities. You have to be very smart. You have to be very driven. There’s so many different qualities that make up a great head coach and a great leader. But really, it’s just about being a great person. A great human being that people will follow.”
By all appearances, the Commanders seem to be in the early stages of a major organizational reset, with a new ownership group, a new General Manger, and eventually a new head coach. The question fans really want to know is: how long is it going to take to see results on the field?
“You can’t put timetables on it," Peters said. "But what I can tell you is that you’re going to see great competitors. You’re going to see a physical team. You’re going to be really impressed with what you see on the field. And it’s going to happen right away. Whether the results come right away, that’s a number of different factors. But you guys are going to be very proud of the team we’re going to put on the field.”