Commanders feel they hired ‘the right leader’ in GM Adam Peters — and so does everyone else

ASHBURN, Va. — You weren’t going to find a negative word said about the Washington Commanders’ new general manager in this setting.

All eyes entering the auditorium nestled inside the team’s main headquarters were drawn to the two chairs onstage. They were set between a logoed backdrop and a table draped with a burgundy-shaded covering, the team name on the front in gold, with a deep red “W” helmet on top. The standard stagecraft, other than the family of the day’s central figure seated in the front row next to members of the new ownership group, didn’t represent the extraordinary moment.

Josh Harris, five months into his role as managing partner, and Adam Peters, the Commanders’ new general manager as of Monday’s official announcement, entered from stage left. Harris held a state-of-the-franchise news conference last week after firing Ron Rivera, Washington’s head coach and front-office lead for the past four years. This one was about ownership’s most significant football hiring to date.

“We set out to find a leader, someone who could take this franchise to the next level and build an elite team that consistently competes for championships,” Harris said of the franchise’s GM search. “In Adam, I think we have the right leader. He’s a winner. He’s made an incredible impact everywhere he’s been.”

Such introductions exude positivity. Another one is expected soon once Washington’s search committee, with Peters as its main football voice, lands its next head coach. Whatever happens in the days ahead — Peters agreed to a five-year contract, according to a team source close to the situation — the talent infusion makes reaching the league’s mountaintop feel within arm’s reach, even coming off a 4-13 season.

“This is where I’m supposed to be, the general manager of the Washington Commanders,” said Peters, who turned down two interview requests last year. “And I can’t tell you guys how excited I am to be here. This is absolutely incredible.”

What’s fascinating about the aforementioned notion of setting is that it extends far beyond the Northern Virginia facility and across the league. Peters was generally assessed as the top GM candidate this cycle. If there’s a person — former co-worker, coach, agent, rival, ticket taker, beer vendor, mascot — with even a lukewarm appraisal of the 21-year football scout-turned-executive, they aren’t speaking out. To borrow from a movie line about how the various high school cliques think of “Ferris Bueller,” everyone seemingly views Peters as a righteous dude.

“He is fantastic,” said Paraag Marathe, the San Francisco 49ers’ executive vice president of operations. “He’s experienced, thoughtful, intelligent, intellectually curious and empathetic. He has been through different successful buildings, so he knows many different ways of what it’s supposed to look like.”

Peters, a Northern California native, made that Super Bowl-winning climb twice as a scout with the Bill Belichick-led New England Patriots and a third time on the Denver Broncos’ staff in Super Bowl 50, along with other near misses. One agent with a starter on San Francisco’s roster described Peters as a “great guy who works very hard. … Very knowledgable.” Another agent praised his “evaluations on players.” So did a personnel executive with another team who crossed paths with Peters over the years.

“I think the first thing is some guys just see it better and know if this player can help (the team), and he can do that,” the executive said of Peters. “Some guys have to work harder at it, but Adam is natural and sees it quickly.”

Peters genuinely thanked those who helped him reach this massive step, including his father and late mother; his wife, Jen, and their young daughters; members of the 49ers, along with mentors and others. He punctuated his remarks with time-tested football comments about putting together a team with “passion” and “physicality” that will resonate with fans. Peters gave a nod to the franchise’s three Super Bowl titles by emphasizing his commitment to restoring “this proud franchise to where it belongs.”

The scouting reps began with New England in 2003. Peters was there for the Patriots’ 16-0 regular season in 2007 and two Super Bowl victories. He learned from Belichick, watched early Tom Brady and worked with numerous people who accomplished plenty in the sport. Jim Nagy, a former Patriots scout, is now executive director of the Senior Bowl, one of the main showcases for draft prospects.

“He’s grown tremendously over the years,” Nagy said of Peters, “and he’s been a part of three different successful organizations. His varied background will help him immensely since he’s been exposed to different processes and value systems. The Commanders’ organization got a very good football man.”

Peters joined San Francisco’s front office in 2017 and became assistant GM in 2021. Since 2019, the 49ers have played in three NFC Championship Games and reached the Super Bowl. A fourth deep playoff run may occur this season with San Francisco as the NFC’s top seed and with arguably the league’s most talented roster.

49ers president of football operations John Lynch made the longtime scout he knew from Denver his first front-office hire. Marathe made it clear connections were hardly the driving factor in bringing Peters on board to help upgrade a roster coming off a 2-14 season.

“He just kind of has the ‘it’ factor,” Marathe said. “Someone you know has the right temperament for the job.”

Peters on Tuesday only offered broad strokes on various topics, including the inherited roster (“a few cornerstone pieces”), possibilities with the No. 2 overall draft pick (“great opportunity”), the appeal of Washington’s blank slate (“it was everything to me”) and qualities sought in a new head coach.

“We’re looking for the best leader for this team, for the Washington Commanders,” Peters said. “We have set criteria that we’re going to have it be aligned in that vision.”

Known candidates include offensive coordinators Ben Johnson (Lions) and Bobby Slowik (Texans), along with defensive coordinators Raheem Morris (Rams), Mike Macdonald (Ravens), Dan Quinn (Cowboys) and Aaron Glenn (Lions). Washington held virtual meetings last week with Baltimore associate head coach/D-line coach Anthony Weaver and Macdonald. Other virtual meetings will occur this week before in-person availability begins on Monday.

Despite any appeal for an offensive play caller or a teacher capable of tutoring a quarterback selected with the second overall pick, Peters claimed it’s not the side of the ball that matters.

“It’s not going to be in a box. It’s not going to be offense, it’s not going to be defense,” Peters said during the 20-minute news conference. “It’s going to be the best leader for this organization.”

Decisions on current staffers will occur in the coming days. Martin Mayhew, Washington’s GM from 2021 to 2023, worked with Peters in San Francisco and could remain a familiar face who helps the new front-office lead’s transition. Whoever comprises the staff won’t be challenged with confusing directions.

“As a communicator, (Peters) is clear and direct. There is no gray area on what he wants to be done,” the personnel executive with insight into Peters said. “But he is also fair and a good listener, giving everyone the respect they deserve.”

Peters isn’t and won’t be perfect. Promise is a good starting point for a fan base that never accepted losing but knew it was coming for much of the past two decades. It might take many a long minute to break any gloomy expectations. After listening to some who know Peters, it feels safe to begin gulping in hope.

“I think in a few years, we are going to be talking about him as one of the top-tier GMs in the NFL,” Marathe said.

If Peters’ praise proves accurate, accepting a new era won’t come begrudgingly — and any living, breathing doubters will remain in the shadows.

(Photo of Adam Peters: Luis M. Alvarez / Associated Press)