The buzz around the Washington Commanders has been both unexpected and welcome since the arrival of the new leadership. People around the NFL are starting to take notice.
Following a solid performance against the New York Giants in Week 9, the Commanders sit at 7-2 halfway through the season.
This positive shift was also highlighted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The respected NFL insider reported that players have actively expressed interest in Washington as a potential landing spot, signaling a promising future for the Commanders as they regain their appeal as a desirable destination.
“Players want to wind up in Washington playing for the Commanders. In recent weeks, there have been players who privately stated or told their agents that they want to be traded to the Commanders, league sources told ESPN. It’s possible the Commanders could comply by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. The Commanders have explored adding a cornerback and could use help at wide receiver, according to league sources. But even if the Commanders can’t complete any trades by the deadline, the fact that certain players would like to land in Washington bodes well for the franchise in free agency and in years to come,” Schefter shared.
Given Schefter’s strong connections with agents and league sources, his reporting carries significant weight. It’s not something he’d fabricate, and it’s unlikely to have come from just one source.
Under Adam Peters, the Commanders are positioned well for the future. This is a sentiment shared by Washington’s long-suffering fanbase, who are expressing immense joy on social media. It’s been years since the organization had stability and the region a team to take pride in. The new leadership has addressed both issues in one offseason, largely by hiring the right people and fostering a culture conducive to sustained success.
Peters has already demonstrated his ability to extract value in trades, particularly in draft-day deals and player departures. However, with expectations growing, a more aggressive approach could be on the table if the right deal presents itself.
With players increasingly wanting to play in Washington, Peters is in a strong position to capitalize on the team’s newfound appeal. The Commanders are set to have $121.45 million in cap space next spring, with 30 players already under contract. While Peters won’t make reckless moves, this is certainly a better spot to be in than many other teams.
There are positive changes unfolding in Washington. To say they’ve succeeded so far would be an understatement.
Given the hardships fans have endured in recent years, they’re more than justified in savoring every moment of this turnaround.
