Reported finalists for new name proves Commanders wasn’t a bad pick

The Washington Commanders era has arrived.

On Wednesday, the now-former Washington Football Team announced its new Commanders nickname live on the NBC Today Show. The announcement was followed with a celebration at FedEx Field that featured former franchise greats discussing the new moniker and uniforms.

As expected, some fans endorsed the name. Some, including players, are still talking themselves into it, while others flat-out hate everything about it. The same can be said about the uniforms, though they were better received overall.

Speaking strictly in terms of the Commanders moniker, it’s not perfect, but is that really a realistic bar to set? No way. It’s a safe pick, but it’s a good fit for the location and aligns with the military background Jason Wright and Ron Rivera discussed at length throughout the promotion process.

With that said, we understand some fans still need some convincing. Unfortunately, we have no idea how to make that happen.

Luckily, though, ESPN’s John Keim is here to help. That definitely wasn’t his intention, but his latest article should help provide closure.

After all, the other options that were “researched heavily” by the franchise kind of indicate Commanders was a good pick.

The reported finalists for Washington’s new name indicate Commanders was actually a solid selection.

Keim notes that Presidents, Redhogs, Football Team Defenders, Armada and Brigade were under consideration, but didn’t make the final round of cuts.

Per Keim, the unofficial finalists were Commanders, RedWolves and … wait for it, the Washington, D.C. Football Club. RedWolves was a fan favorite and would’ve been solid, but it never seemed feasible.

Between running into issues with trademark lawyers over Wolves logos, the Timberwolves NBA franchise not going anywhere, and Arkansas State being known as the Red Wolves, Washington wanted its new era to represent uniqueness, not taking a page from other organizations and universities.

If you remember, the newly-minted Cleveland Guardians, formerly known as the Indians, found themselves entangled in a lawsuit with a roller derby team (from the same city) that goes by the same name and was formed in 2013.

There’s something to be said about tiptoeing around conflict, or do you not want the franchise to hold itself accountable?

The real conflict that was avoided, though, was not choosing the mouthful Washington, D.C. Football Club nickname.

“The DCFC was heavily considered, and they even designed logos. They wanted to play off the temporary Football Team name,” wrote Keim.

Yes, DCFC rolls off the tongue and we love that it incorporates the nation’s capital. However, it feels like a blessing in disguise that circumstances that prevented Wright and Co. from choosing that as the new name.

The biggest roadblock? There’s a professional soccer team based in Michigan that’s referred to as the Detroit City Football Club (DCFC). Not only that, but their primary colors are burgundy and gold. Remind you of anyone?

We’re not saying that Commanders was a home run selection. However, given it was a finalist alongside RedWolves and the Washington, D.C. Football Club, maybe give the franchise a little bit of slack? They were put in an impossible position given any name they chose would’ve prompted widespread vitriol.

Commanders is a fine choice. As long as the organization fields a winning product on the field, the nickname will grow on fans.