Washington team president Jason Wright made headlines Thursday when he went on the “BMitch and Finlay” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. When asked about potentially going back to the old “Redskins” moniker, Wright said that “is not being considered. Period.”
Washington’s fan base is split on the name. A portion of the fan base just dealt with non-stop drama over the name for two years until Washington rebranded as the Commanders in Feb. 2022. They are ready to focus on football, not another name change.
Buy Commanders TicketsAnother segment of fans hates the current name. Some feel like it’s an expansion team. Others don’t think it fits.
New Washington owner Josh Harris hasn’t done anything to quiet the speculation about the name. When asked about the name, he’s made it a point to say it doesn’t matter what he thinks; it’s what the fans think. As Adam Schefter told him on his podcast, the fans don’t like the name.
Harris repeated that statement multiple times. Then there was minority partner Magic Johnson saying in an interview on the TODAY Show that “everything is on the table” regarding the name.
So you can see why many believe Harris and his partners would consider another name change. Of course, as Harris has also pointed out, it’s not a priority right now, as he and his partners are focused on improvements to FedEx Field, improving the fan experience and the upcoming season.
Legendary former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” Thursday and believes Harris and his partners will change the name.
“I think they want to move towards a new name and sort of put everything about the Washington Commanders, the Washington Football Team, in the rearview mirror and move forward,” Theismann said.
“I think Josh Harris and his group have done a terrific job of creating an environment that’s really very positive. What you hear a lot now is people talking about the football team. Over the past couple of years, there’s been more conversation about what has taken place off the field or away from the field than it has been on the field. So, to me, I think what we see is something very, very positive going on.”
Theismann goes on to praise Washington’s talent, including the defensive line, wide receivers and running backs. And Theismann has high hopes for quarterback Sam Howell.
"I think Washington wants to move towards a new name..
Josh Harris has done a terrific job and we're seeing something very positive going on in Washington" ~ @Theismann7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hcYIV20xLV
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 31, 2023
Theismann has always had the ear of ownership. Granted, this is new ownership, but early in training camp, Theismann was on the practice field talking to Harris and one of his partners, Mitchell Rales, both of whom grew up as Washington fans.
First day of camp and only the fifth day of ownership for Josh Harris (middle) and Mitchell Rales (right). They spent almost all of practice standing next to Joe Theismann.
(They're holding rosters … rookies are highlighted.)
(📷 @J_MacPost) pic.twitter.com/Az8rXVQisU
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 26, 2023
