The Washington Commanders are navigating their way through another dramatic offseason. Some dominoes have already fallen while others could drop imminently, which will have long-term implications for the franchise next season and way into the future.
Monday’s news cycle around the league brought some interesting tidbits from the Commanders’ point of view. These included an update on the potential sale, the possibility of Washington appearing on this summer’s Hard Knocks, the growing confidence in quarterback Sam Howell, and a wild notion that centered on Bill Belichick replacing Ron Rivera as the team’s next head coach.
Let’s delve a little deeper into each topic.
Commanders DB wants no part of Hard Knocks
The Washington Commanders are one of four teams eligible to feature on HBO’s annual Hard Knocks series this summer. This is always one of the most insightful elements of the offseason period from a fan standpoint, even if it can become invasive for players who are fully focused on preparing for the new campaign.
This news didn’t go down well with Commanders defensive back Jeremy Reaves, who made his feelings known in no uncertain terms on social media about Washington being selected for the series.
They can keep that man https://t.co/x6AcADC7Dl
— Jeremy Reaves (@JR1ERA) April 3, 2023
This might be a moot point in any case. Looking at the potential Hard Knocks candidates, it’s highly like that once Aaron Rodgers gets traded to the New York Jets, the AFC East team becomes the runaway favorite to feature.
Commanders sale update
After Dan Snyder reportedly received two offers that met his asking price of $6 billion for the Washington Commanders, it’s been all quiet on the western front. These things normally take time, but fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the constant speculation without official confirmation one way or another.
All signs point to the sale happening at some stage before the 2023 campaign. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated became the latest insider to suggest the transaction was close to being completed in his weekly column on Monday.
"“The Commanders’ sale, I think, could happen soon, with an agreement in principle on a buyer and price within shouting distance. My guess would be that it’ll be DMV native Josh Harris, which would help the NFL because Harris already went through the full vetting process as part of the Broncos bidding last year and is highly thought of in ownership circles. I also believe the NFL, and Dan Snyder, shouldn’t mess around—if Harris is the guy.”"
Whether Snyder is waiting for Jeff Bezos to swoop after supposedly becoming more receptive to a bid is unclear. But until something becomes concrete once and for all, some sections of the fanbase will always have a sense of skepticism despite all signs pointing to the process being in its final stages.
As always, it’s ‘watch this space’. And get ready for the celebrations when Snyder eventually sells the Commanders.
Commanders’ confidence in Sam Howell
After resisting the urge to bring in anyone other than Jacoby Brissett so far, the Washington Commanders appear to be going through with their intent to provide Sam Howell with a legitimate chance of becoming the team’s starting quarterback next season. The newly acquired veteran will fancy his chances, but it should be the second-year pro’s job to lose if everything goes according to plan.
Howell gained a lot of respect for the way he handled himself as a development project last season. When the North Carolina product finally got his shot, he took full advantage and spearheaded the Commanders to a final-game win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated highlighted the journey for Howell to get to this point on Monday. Something that indicates growing confidence from those within the building in what the signal-caller could provide with additional development.
"“For the Commanders, it was first what defensive players would tell their coaches when Howell was running the scout team, plus how the receivers would say he was throwing them open and using leverage against the defense. Then, when Wentz went on IR, and Howell became the backup, the staff got to see what he’d learned and how he’d self-correct. And then, finally, in the season finale against the Cowboys, all that those coaches had seen and heard came together to give way to the thought that Howell deserved a real shot.”"
The ball is now in Howell’s court. Brissett and the staff will be on hand to provide guidance every step of the way, but the onus is firmly on the former fifth-round selection to leave no doubt before the regular season arrives.
Bill Belichick to the Commanders?
There seems to be a growing sense of friction between Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. Things have tailed off dramatically for the organization since Tom Brady departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and if this continues in 2023, it could be the legendary coach’s last with the New England Patriots.
Could the stars align for the Washington Commanders to make a bold bid for Belichick’s services under new ownership? It’s all speculation at this point, but the topic was brought up in a recent feature by Jeremy Brener of Commander Country that made a good – albeit unlikely – case for the dream to become reality in 2024.
"“There’s obviously a lot of dominoes that have to fall in order to get Belichick to Washington in 2024 … Rivera would have to continue to underperform, the Patriots will have to want to move on from Belichick, and he would also have to want to come to the Commanders. Unlikely? Sure. Impossible? We can’t say no just yet.”"
Ron Rivera knows how much pressure will be on his shoulders to get things right when a new owner is confirmed. After all, the head coach went through something exactly like this with the Carolina Panthers before David Tepper pulled the plug during the 2019 campaign.
If the same happens again in Washington, a new owner might decide to go all in for a proven Super Bowl winner to finally get the Commanders back to prominence. In that sense, there would be nobody better than Belichick despite his advancing years.