Which Washington Commanders’ news stories are hitting the headlines ahead of what looks to be a pivotal 2023 NFL Draft for the organization?
It’s never a dull moment where the Washington Commanders are concerned these days. Something that’s reflected in the constant stream of media speculation, news, and almost everything in between for matters related to on-field progression and some impending landmark changes set to transpire behind the scenes.
Among the big-hitting recent headlines include more top-30 visits scheduled ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, Ron Rivera on the exciting sale possibility, crowd attendances dwindling once again, and a league executive thinks the Commanders are treading water this offseason until Dan Snyder sells up.
Let’s explore each topic in more detail.
Commanders line up more top-30 visits
Draft plans are being finalized around the league and the Washington Commanders added a few more names to other top-30 visits according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. These happen to fit immediate needs looking at the roster overall and are worthy of consideration over the first three rounds.
The list is as follows:
- Brian Branch (DB) – Alabama
- DeMarvion Overshown (LB) – Texas
- Atonio Mafi (OL) – UCLA
- D.J. Turner (CB) – Michigan
The insider also confirmed that Steve Avila will spend time with the Commanders, which was reported by others last week. Washington also plans to host dynamic cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the coming days, who could be a wildcard option at No. 16 overall if other targets come off the board beforehand.
Ron Rivera on Commanders sale
While some deem the impending sale as a distraction, that hasn’t been the case with Ron Rivera. The experienced head coach went through something similar with the Carolina Panthers and is keen to remain focused on the task at hand despite the franchise-altering changes that could occur at any moment.
When speaking with John Keim of ESPN, there was clear excitement from Rivera as Dan Snyder gets set to walk away from the Washington Commanders with $6 billion or more in his pocket. Not only off the field, but the optimism also centers on some improved energy within the building to further raise expectations.
"“It’s what I’ve dealt with. It’s what our organization has dealt with the last three-and-a-half years. The unfortunate part of the game is that things change and you’ve got to be able to adapt and go forward. [It’s] as much relief of, ‘OK, now we know what we’re doing and where we’re going. It is exciting. It will mark a new era. It will change some things, but the biggest thing is the excitement of who we are as a team. … The hard part for everybody is right now we’re just waiting for it to happen so we’ll see.”"
The sale won’t do anything to diminish the rumors surrounding Rivera’s long-term future. But in all honesty, there’s nothing he can do about that by talking.
Now is the time for action. For progress. For renewed hope that this once-proud organization can return to the NFL’s top table.
Rivera will get the first shot at proving himself. If he cannot cut the mustard, then new ownership will find someone who can.
Commanders’ attendances are among NFL’s worst
It’s no secret that Dan Snyder‘s reign as Washington Commanders owner has been disastrous. The constant allegations and scandal in recent months were the final nail in his coffin, with two formal offers of $6 billion now officially on the table to remove him entirely from the equation.
One thing that’s come to light in the face of such turmoil is dwindling attendance. Commanders fans have voted with their feet over the years, with many turning their back on supporting the team from the stands and in some more drastic cases, switching allegiances entirely.
Just how bad things have fallen off in this capacity was recently explored by Ivan Lambert from the Commanders Wire. Washington was among the best-supported teams in the nation until the 2018 season, but the drop was nothing short of alarming thereafter and reflective of the current state of affairs.
- 2017 – 601,405 (6th)
- 2018 – 488,227 (27th)
- 2019 – 523,906 (20th)
- 2020 – Covid; NFL home attendance corresponded to each local government’s policies
- 2021 – 422,009 (31st)
- 2022 – 522,954 (30th)
Having a decaying stadium unfit for purpose doesn’t help. But this would be inconsequential if the team was performing well and providing genuine encouragement that the operation was being run efficiently.
The culture has changed since Ron Rivera became a head coach – at least on the football side of things. And when Snyder finally relinquishes his stranglehold on the Commanders, the fans should return in big numbers as a new era begins.
NFL executive claims Commanders are treading water
It’s been an underwhelming offseason in terms of recruitment for the Washington Commanders so far. Few big splashes were made in free agency as the team continues with its newfound ethos of drafting, developing, and rewarding those already making a big impact on the franchise.
Despite this, there’s just $2.42 million in salary-cap space remaining heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Considering the Commanders need around $9 million to sign their eight picks, further sacrifices are set to be announced at some stage before training camp rolls around.
A current NFL executive had an interesting perception of Washington’s moves this offseason when speaking with Mike Sando of The Athletic. He claimed that the Commanders were simply trying to tread water as the ownership remains in flux, although re-signing Daron Payne did represent a huge financial commitment from the franchise.
"“It looks like a group that was trying to do the best they could to compete a little bit, but knew they didn’t have the resources or the backing to do much more. It was like they said, ‘Derek Carr, Jimmy G … our owner wasn’t going to give us the budget, and none of those guys were maybe worth it anyway. Sam Howell gives them some excitement around the team, an unknown, but beyond re-signing Payne, it looks like the rest is treading water, waiting for a new owner.”"
Rivera and his staff are making the best of an uncertain situation currently. Whether they’ll be around when more financial flexibility is readily available will be entirely dependent on how the Commanders perform when competitive games arrive in 2023.