The Washington Commanders have made an impressive leap to the NFC championship game after finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record and securing victories in two playoff matches. This milestone marks the team’s most significant progress in over thirty years, especially notable given their prior dismal 4-13 season in 2023. A complete revamp of the organization, initiated by the dismissal of Ron Rivera and the subsequent appointments of general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn, paved the way for this unexpected turnaround.
The team’s transformation began on January 7, 2024, when they suffered a heavy 38-10 defeat against Dallas, coinciding with Rivera’s 62nd birthday. This loss earned them the second overall pick in the upcoming draft, positioning them to acquire a promising quarterback for the future.
The following day, Rivera was let go after four seasons with the team, having led them to a solitary playoff appearance in 2020 with a mediocre 7-9 record. Controlling owner Josh Harris, who bought the franchise for a record $6.05 billion in 2022, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings on the field and emphasized the need for a new direction.
Involving prominent figures like former NBA executive Bob Myers and ex-Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, Harris and his co-owners, including Magic Johnson, engaged in a swift yet thorough search for a new GM and coaching staff.
By January 12, 2024, ownership had swiftly secured Adam Peters as the new general manager, who was announced shortly after. Peters, aged 44, came to Washington following a successful stint in San Francisco.
Later on January 30, the team faced a setback when Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson chose to remain with the Lions. However, Quinn continued his pursuit, interviewing for the head coach position with defensive coordinators including Aaron Glenn and Mike Macdonald also in contention. Ultimately, on February 1, Quinn was brought on board, lauded by Harris as a talented leader recognized for his successful defensive strategies during his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys.
On February 4, Peters and Quinn began assembling their coaching staff, with Kliff Kingsbury taking on the role of offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. as defensive coordinator. Kingsbury was initially set to join the Raiders but shifted focus to the Commanders.
March brought significant acquisitions, as the team signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who was previously a Super Bowl champion with the Eagles, along with running back Austin Ekeler and quarterback Marcus Mariota. The addition of Mariota signaled the team’s commitment to selecting standout quarterback Jayden Daniels in the draft, particularly since they anticipated that Chicago would pick Caleb Williams first overall.
On March 13, Peters made headlines by signing six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner to a lucrative one-year contract and trading the previous season’s starting quarterback, Sam Howell, to Seattle. A few weeks later, on April 26, the Commanders made Daniels their first-round draft pick—an expectation that had long been aligned within the front office—while they also bolstered their roster with additional key positions.
By late July, the Commanders commenced training camp, and although exercising caution regarding premature endorsements, Quinn announced Daniels as the starter following impressive preseason performances. Daniels marked his debut on September 7, 2024, ultimately learning from his initial outing despite the team’s loss to Tampa Bay.
Daniels captured attention during a prime-time clash on September 24, achieving a remarkable 91.3% completion rate, leading the Commanders to a 38-33 victory over Cincinnati, and propelled them to a strong 3-1 start following a decisive win against Arizona.
In subsequent weeks, the Commanders continued to showcase their prowess, including a thrilling Hail Mary victory against Chicago on a last-minute throw from Daniels. They achieved a stellar 7-2 record by November 3 after adding Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the roster.
As the season progressed, the Commanders navigated through challenges, including a brief three-game losing streak, but rejuvenated their prospects with a dominant performance against Tennessee. They secured playoff contention on December 29 with a win over Atlanta, achieving a significant milestone by claiming their first playoff victory in nearly two decades on January 12, 2025.
The team proceeded to a remarkable triumph over the top-seeded Detroit Lions, showcasing their explosive capability and securing a spot in the NFC title game for the first time since the 1991 season, a year marked by their last Super Bowl championship. This moment embodies a compelling turnaround for an organization that had struggled for so long.
