When new owner Josh Harris took over in July, he made it clear there would be no significant changes at that time. For Harris and his fellow owners, their focus was on the 2023 season, fan engagement and making improvements to FedEx Field.
With four games remaining in the 2023 season and the Commanders sitting at 4-9, changes are coming. Harris is expected to part with head coach Ron Rivera after the season. Rivera also serves as Washington’s top football executive, with general manager Martin Mayhew reporting to him. Therefore, the Commanders will likely be making two separate hires.
Washington will have around $90 million in salary-cap room, with the ability to create more, a top-five NFL draft pick and five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
But most importantly, Washington has new ownership. Dan Snyder is gone. Harris and his ownership group have plenty of experience owning professional sports teams and are widely respected. When you factor in Washington’s resources and the presence of the Harris Ownership Group, the Commanders will be a destination job for rising general managers and head coaches.
One NFL source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post that the Washington job would be the “best job.”
“From an outside perspective, Washington is the best job now that Dan Snyder doesn’t own it,” a prominent NFL agent told Jhabvala.
Did you ever think you’d hear those words?
This season has been difficult for Washington fans. While most likely knew the Commanders wouldn’t make the playoffs, no one expected them to be this bad. However, Harris has preached patience, and soon, Jan. 8 to be exact, you’ll likely see ownership begin to reshape the franchise in their vision.
And for once, Washington fans can have real hope.
