The Washington Commanders, like the rest of the NFL, are making moves as they navigate an offseason filled with ups and downs, news and views…
FEB 23 NFL SALARY CAP SET AT $255.4 MILLION According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the league’s salary ceiling for 2024 will be $255.4 million, providing the Washington Commanders with more over $90 million in spendable cap space for the upcoming season.
“The unprecedented $30 million increase per club in this year’s salary Cap is the result of the full repayment of all amounts advanced by the clubs and deferred by the players during the Covid pandemic,” Pelissero said in a statement. “As well as an extraordinary increase in media revenue for the 2024 season.”
On February 22, commanders signed two former practice squad players. The Washington Commanders have signed receiver Kazmeir Allen and guard Mason Brooks, according to team writer Zach Selby. Both were part of the 2023 practice squad.
FEB 21: CALEB WILLIAMS TO ENTER NFL WITHOUT AGENT Caleb Williams, the top signal caller in the 2024 NFL Draft, has not engaged an agent and does not intend to do so, according to Pro Football Talk.
Players promoting themselves is not a new concept; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Seattle Seahawks defender Bobby Wagner have done so in previous years.
However, Williams may find it challenging to navigate the hectic timetable of preparing for the NFL Combine and Pro Day, as well as scheduling pre-draft visits with organizations.
Nonetheless, Williams remains the favourite to be the first overall pick in the draft, and the Washington Commanders, who are second, may not even have a chance at the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner.
FEB 16 COMMANDERS WIN THE NFC EAST, PER ANALYST The 2024 season does not begin for another seven months, but Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd makes a big prediction for the NFC East.
Cowherd predicts that the Washington Commanders will win the NFC East, defeating the defending champion Dallas Cowboys.
The NFC East has not had a repeat champion in 20 years, and if this occurs, the Commanders may leap from last to first in a single season.
FEB 14: COMMANDERS ADD ASSISTANT GM The Washington commanders are moving around in the front office.
Lance Newmark, Senior Director of Player Personnel for the Detroit Lions, has been named Adam Peters’ assistant general manager. Former general manager Martin Mayhew is anticipated to take on an advisory role. Marty Hurney, executive vice president, will also serve as Peters’ advisor.
FEB 13: SHARRIF FLOYD HIRED BY COMMANDERS. The Washington Commanders continue to expand their coaching staff.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Commanders are employing Sharrif Floyd as an assistant defensive line coach.
Floyd, 32, was a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2013 and spent four seasons with the team before retiring due to injury. In 2023, he joined the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff. Now he accompanies Dan Quinn to the Commanders.
FEB 11: Chase Young Super Bowl Sack Chase Young, a former Washington Commanders defensive end, is making some noise at the Super Bowl.
In the first quarter, Young sacked Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
After the first quarter, the Chiefs and Niners are level at 0-0.
FEB 11 CHIEFS PROTEST AT SUPER BOWL Native American groups have previously protested the Washington Commanders franchise, and the Kansas City Chiefs are now following suit.
“Not In Our Honour,” a Native American group located in Kansas City, will be protesting the Chiefs’ name during the Super Bowl this Sunday.
The Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
FEB 10: BIENIEMY REVEALS NEXT STEP Eric Bieniemy, a former Washington Commander, is currently unemployed and may remain so until the 2024 season.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Bieniemy could either return to the Chiefs, where he coached from 2013-22 and won two Super Bowls as an offensive coordinator, or take 2024 off and position himself as a top candidate for the 2025 season.
It was stated earlier this week that Bieniemy would not return to Washington once Dan Quinn was hired. Kliff Kingsbury will succeed him.
On February 9, Larry Izzo addressed the commanders. The Washington Commanders continue to strengthen their coaching staff.
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the team has hired Larry Izzo as special teams coordinator.
Izzo, 49, has coached special teams for the New York Giants (2011-2015), Houston Texans (2016-17), and Seattle Seahawks (2018-23). He now joins Dan Quinn in the nation’s capital.
February 8: Brian Johnson to Commanders The Washington Commanders are considering a coach from one of their competitors.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Commanders are bringing in former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson to their staff. While he will not have the same role as he did in Philadelphia, he will be a “prominent” member of Dan Quinn’s staff.
FEB 5: EAGLES TO PLAY IN SAO PAULO The NFL is playing its first game in Brazil this year, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed on Monday that the Philadelphia Eagles will host their season opener in South America.
The Commanders, as NFC East partners, may play their first away game against the Eagles in Sao Paulo.
The game will take place on Friday, September 6, to help kick off the 2024 season’s first weekend.
JAN 28: CHIEFS HEAD TO SUPER BOWL WITHOUT BIENIEMY The Kansas City Chiefs faced challenges this season as longtime offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy joined the Washington Commanders. They were able to persist following a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Sunday’s AFC Championship.
Eric Bieniemy’s fate for the 2018 season is uncertain with Ron Rivera’s firing, but a return to the Commanders is not out of the question.
JAN 24 LENO HONOURED BY THE NFL The league has recognized Washington Commanders offensive lineman Charles Leno Jr. for his charitable efforts in local areas.
Leno Jr. is one of five finalists for the Alan Page NFLPA Community Award, with Calais Campbell (Atlanta Falcons), Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills), Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions), and Harrison Phillips (Minnesota Vikings).
The winner will be announced at the NFL Honours in Las Vegas on February 7 and will receive $100,000 for a charity of their choice.
JAN 21 LIONS HEAD TO NFC CHAMPIONSHIP; WASHINGTON CONTINUES LONGEST DROUGHT The Detroit Lions haven’t made the NFC Championship in 32 years, but that changed on Sunday when they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the Divisional Round.
The Lions’ last NFC title was against Washington, who now has the longest conference title drought.
Technically, the Cleveland Browns had gone longer without winning a conference championship (1989), but they were out of the league for two seasons after migrating to become the Baltimore Ravens. Washington currently holds the NFC record, and with this year’s four-win season, it will take some time for the team to return to where it wants to be.
JAN 16: NORM SNEAD DIES AT 84 The NFL community is mourning the loss of former Washington quarterback Norm Snead, who died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Washington selected Snead with the second overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, and he spent three seasons with the team, making two Pro Bowls.
Snead also played with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers before retiring in 1977.
Caleb Williams, a quarterback at USC, declared for the NFL draft on January 15. Caleb Williams, a USC quarterback and likely top target for the Washington Commanders, has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams revealed his decision on Instagram.
Williams, who won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, tossed 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions during his college career. He was also powerful on the ground, rushing for 979 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Williams has been a frequent choice for the Commanders in mock selections. With Washington with the No. 2 overall pick and a new system in place, the former Oklahoma and USC quarterback could be near or at the top of its draft board on April 25 in Detroit.
JAN 15 GM ADAM PETERS SIGNS 5-YEAR DEAL WITH THE COMMANDERS The Washington Commanders recruited Adam Peters as head of football operations on Friday, and specifics of the agreement they’re working on have emerged.
ESPN source Jeremy Fowler said that the Commanders and Peters had reached an agreement on a five-year contract, which should be inked in the coming days. Once completed, Peters will manage the Commanders’ search for their next head coach.
Peters previously served as the San Francisco 49ers’ associate general manager.
JAN 12 COMMANDERS HIRE ADAM PETERS AS GM. The Washington Commanders have made their first important hire under Josh Harris’ ownership. ESPN’s Adam Schefter claimed that the Commanders are hiring Adam Peters as their chief of football operations.
Peters previously served as the San Francisco 49ers’ associate general manager. Peters had been with the 49ers since 2017, working his way up to assistant general manager in 2021. Prior to joining San Francisco, Peters played for the New England Patriots (2003-2008) and the Denver Broncos (2009-2016).
Peters was a finalist alongside Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham.
Between his prior locations, Peters was a member of three Super Bowl-winning teams. He will now be tasked with hiring a head coach as the first step toward rebuilding the Commanders.
JAN 11 COMMANDERS REPORT OUT ON BILL BELICHICK Bill Belichick, one of the finest coaches in NFL history, is available, but the Washington Commanders are apparently not interested.
Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz said that the Commanders will not pursue Belichick after he left the New England Patriots on Wednesday. Belichick won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and ranks second all-time in wins.
While asking about Belichick would have made sense, the idea of Washington hiring him during a possibly lengthy rebuild never made sense. Belichick, 71, is much more likely to be interested in a squad that is prepared to win next season.
The Commanders are still looking for a head of football operations, and the search has narrowed down to two candidates: San Francisco 49ers deputy general manager Adam Peters and Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham.
JAN 11 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR COMMANDERS’ HEAD OF FOOTBALL OPS On Monday, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris stated that the hunt for a head of football operations would be ‘quick but thorough’.
Three days later, his search has cut down to two options.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Commanders are down to two candidates: San Francisco 49ers associate general manager Adam Peters and Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham. The final interviews should happen in the following days.
Peters has been the 49ers’ deputy general manager since 2021 and has been with the team since 2017. He was previously with the New England Patriots (2003–2008) and the Denver Broncos (2009–2016). Cunningham previously worked with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-2017) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2017-2021) before joining the Chicago Bears as assistant general manager in 2022.
JAN 9: COWBOYS’ DAN QUINN TO COMMANDERS? The Washington Commanders are looking for a division opponent to fill their next coaching opening.
According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Commanders have requested an interview with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Here is a list of persons who have received interview requests from the team, which is rapidly growing. The *list currently includes:
Coach Interview Requests:
Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator,
Lions DC Aaron Glenn
Los Angeles Rams DC Raheem Morris
Anthony Weaver, Baltimore Ravens’ Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach.
Ravens DC Mike Macdonald
Bobby Slowik, the Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator,
Dallas Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
Executive Requests:
Ian Cunningham, the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager
Glenn Cook, the Cleveland Browns’ assistant general manager,
Alec Halaby, the Philadelphia Eagles’ assistant general manager
Mike Borgonzi, the Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant general manager
Adam Peters, the assistant general manager for the San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay
JAN 3: HOWELL STARTS FINALE The Washington Commanders will give Sam Howell his 18th consecutive start against the Dallas Cowboys.
Howell was benched last week in favour of Jacoby Brissett, but an injury to the veteran forced the team to return to its second-year player.
On Sunday, the Commanders will host the Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. ET.
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