If you want to build a winner, you need a top-notch front office, and Washington now has the leader of that group. News4’s JP Finlay has analysis.
The Commanders have hired a new general manager: San Francisco 49ers executive Adam Peters, a source tells NBC Washington.
Peters, 49, was considered one of the top candidates available and also drew interest from the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders for their vacancies. He spent seven years with the Niners, first as VP of player personnel and then the past three as assistant GM working under John Lynch.
A Super Bowl champion with Denver from his eight years with the Broncos that followed a stint in New England, Peters was one of two finalists for the job along with Chicago AGM Ian Cunningham. Owner Josh Harris and his search committee followed through on his pledge for a “thorough but rapid” process to pinpoint and hire the next front office lead after firing Ron Rivera.
Harris dismissed Rivera as head coach Monday as he looks to rebuild the football operation on more stable footing.
Peters and that group will now work through a long list of candidates to find Washington’s next coach. Peters is a major front-office hire for Harris, who said he's hoping to get the best people in quickly after a disappointing season.
A Northern California native, Peters’ time in San Francisco overlapped with longtime NBA executive Bob Myers building the Golden State Warriors into four-time champions. Harris hired Myers to aid in the searches and expects to keep the two-time basketball executive of the year around beyond the next couple of months.
Beyond hiring a coach, Peters will be tasked with remaking a roster that has few cornerstone players after four years of mediocre drafting with Rivera in charge. Top receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive tackle Daron Payne, holdovers from the previous regime, are among them.
Peters has an attractive opportunity in front of him with nearly $87 million in projected salary cap space and the No. 2 pick in the draft, followed by two selections in the top 10 of the second round.
After 12 different quarterbacks started for Washington since the start of the 2018 season, Peters is the latest person who will try to find a long-term solution at football’s most important position for an organization that has had a revolving door there for decades.
Sam Howell figures to be back after starting all 17 games this season when the Commanders lost eight in a row to finish 4-13, but the second pick is a chance to select one of the top college prospects: USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye. Russell Wilson could also be among the potential free agent options, or Peters and his front office could look to the trade market.
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It’s unclear if he’ll be available depending on the Dallas Cowboys’ path forward with Dak Prescott, but Peters was part of the 49ers brain trust when they traded up to pick Trey Lance third in 2021.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
