Commanders GM Adam Peters discusses upcoming HC search, building team around ‘cornerstone’ players

Adam Peters takes over as Commanders GM. His first task is to hire a coach - The San Diego Union-Tribune

The Commanders have identified their next general manager. Now it’s time to start assembling the remaining jigsaw parts.

Adam Peters spoke to the media for the first time since being chosen the new general manager of the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, discussing the job ahead of him and the new ownership group in leading the team through a rebuild and into what they believe will be a new era of football in the D.C. area.

At the top of the list of tasks for Peters is the anticipated selection of a head coach to take the reins after last week’s firing of Ron Rivera, a process which owner Josh Harris had said would kick into gear once they had their new GM.

Though Peters stated that he has not yet begun interviewing prospects, he already has ideas of what he wants to see, emphasizing that they will not be limited to one type of candidate.

“We’re looking for the best leader for this team, the Washington Commanders,” Peters stated to reporters. “So we’ll have set 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.”

Once the head coach selection is made, Washington can focus on what has to change inside the locker room to turn things around, as well as which avenues to take to address issues.

The Commanders are certainly a team with options, entering a critical offseason with the No. 2 overall pick in a draft that is expected to feature an intriguing set of quarterback options from the college pool, and with the most open cap space in the NFL for 2024, according to Over the Cap.

Former 49ers Asst. GM Adam Peters officially lands in Washington - Sactown Sports

When asked if the organization had begun considering a possible strategy for using that prized pick to help with the reconstruction, Peters deflected, reminding reporters that the draft is still months away and that he needs to focus on the HC search before any more discussions can take place.

When questioned about the Commanders’ quarterback position, Peters was similarly noncommittal.

From 2018 to 2022, Washington started at least three different quarterbacks per season, and while second-year signal-caller Sam Howell provided some stability at the position in 2023, his performance was inconsistent enough to raise the question of whether Washington could draft another quarterback.

While there is potential for change at quarterback, Peters acknowledged that there are still strong players at other positions on the roster to build a foundation on.