After agreeing to become Washington Commanders' general manager, Adam Peters had a huge job on his hands. The respected front office figure knew that this franchise needed a complete overhaul from top to bottom. What's happened in the first year under his leadership is nothing short of staggering.
Peters gutted the roster, shook up the front office, and found a new head coach. For the first time in decades, there was a ruthless, business-first mindset. He always kept the bigger picture in mind and found the right blend of youth and experience.
The Commanders took off, winning 12 games and locking up the NFC's sixth seed. After beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, Washington shocked the NFL to its foundations by demolishing the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions on the road to book their place in the NFC Conference championship game.
They've gone from a perennial bottom feeder to a surprising Super Bowl contender in the blink of an eye. This Cinderella story reignited the fanbase and raised hope that the glory days were coming back to Washington following decades of decay.
Peters' presence is a leading force in this franchise regeneration. With this in mind, we chose the five best moves (from a long list) he made throughout his first year as Washington's general manager.
Best moves made by Adam Peters in year one as Commanders GM
Commanders hired Dan Quinn
The speculation linking Ben Johnson to the Washington Commanders' head coaching job last offseason gained significant momentum. He was the favorite with sportsbooks and some fans were convinced he'd be the guy. Perhaps tellingly, that was not an opinion shared by leading insiders such as Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.
They were right. Things fell apart with Johnson as the Commanders were in the air to meet him. This led general manager Adam Peters to Dan Quinn — a legitimate leader of men who those in power believed was the perfect hire to spearhead this important transition.
Fans adopted a wait-and-see approach. The signs were positive throughout the offseason. Everyone bought in and the culture was much improved. And when competitive action commenced, the results spoke for themselves.
Quinn was the right man for this job. He developed a strong rapport with Peters quickly. They have an aligned vision for the future and are getting full support from Josh Harris' ownership group. This collaboration and stability isn't something the Commanders have had since the early 1990s.
Peters deserves praise for hiring Quinn when most of the media questioned the choice. His experience and ability to inspire provided the spark that propelled the Commanders beyond anyone's wildest expectations.
Commanders drafted Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil was an ultra-competitive yet undersized cornerback coming into the league. He played a starring role in the Michigan Wolverines' successful quest for the college football national championship and was touted by many to be a potential first-round pick.
Something caused hesitation. Teams weren't willing to take a chance on the 5-foot-10 defensive back due to his lack of prototypical NFL size. This worked in the Washington Commanders' favor in no uncertain terms.
When Sainristil fell into their laps at No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the scenes of jubilation left no doubt about what the Commanders thought of the prospect. Dan Quinn was beaming with delight and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. couldn't hide his joy. General manager Adam Peters didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Sainristil hit the ground running. His competitiveness, fearless demeanor, and willingness to take on the league's best pass-catchers were exactly the sort of contribution Washington was looking for. Even when the coaching staff switched him from the slot to the boundary, the rookie didn't skip a beat.
The bigger the moment, the more Sainristil thrives. His two interceptions against the Detroit Lions played a leading role in Washington's landmark triumph. This was a home-run selection. Peters trusted his evaluations and got an absolute steal.
Commanders signed Frankie Luvu
The Commanders' linebacking corps was woefully under-strength and lacked quality throughout Ron Rivera's tenure. He ignored the defensive second-level, believing his investments in the defensive line would be enough. Aside from first-round pick Jamin Davis, this position group became an afterthought.
Rivera and Washington's defense paid a heavy price for this neglect. It wasn't a mistake general manager Adam Peters was going to make, especially considering the scheme Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. planned to implement.
Signing Bobby Wagner was a superb short-term option. He brought a winning mentality and taught this revamped roster how to win. However, making Frankie Luvu a high-priority signing when the legal tampering period began comes with a longer-term upside.
Luvu's story is a feel-good one. He emerged from undrafted free agent irrelevancy to one of the league's best linebackers. The Washington State product emerged as a productive starter with the Carolina Panthers. Linking up with Quinn took his game to completely new heights.
His aggressiveness, passion, and ability to be around the football consistently became the beating heart of Washington's defense. Luvu led all linebackers in sacks with eight and earned second-team All-Pro honors alongside Wagner.
Peters and Quinn thought Luvu could be a difference-maker. They pushed their chips into the middle and got a franchise cornerstone out of it.
Commanders traded Jahan Dotson
Adam Peters didn't think much of Ron Rivera's roster building. His long pause when asked about the current options during an introductory press conference spoke volumes, His actions in the year after quickly became a damning indictment of the previous regime.
Every first-round pick chosen by Rivera is no longer around. Peters was ruthless, disposing of anyone who didn't fit into the new way of thinking. Jamin Davis and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. were released, but the front-office leader managed to maximize capital where wide receiver Jahan Dotson was concerned.
Dotson promised much but delivered very little. When it became apparent he wasn't going to fit, Peters traded him to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.
That was a contentious issue considering Dotson's age and potential upside. But once again, it was an outstanding piece of business.
The former Penn State star gained 19 receptions for 216 receiving yards and zero touchdowns during the regular season. More importantly for the Commanders, it gave them the disposable draft assets needed to make a bold trade for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the deadline.
Lattimore's had problems with injury this season. However, his lockdown performances against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions make this a sound long-term investment with better fortune on the health front.
Thanks to Peters' decision to trade Dotson, it cost the Commanders almost nothing.
Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels
For all the free-agent signings, draft recruits, and various other transitions throughout Adam Peters' first year as Commanders' general manager, none were more important than his choice at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This would make or break the team's hopes. Selecting the right quarterback was crucial.
Peters kept leaks to a minimum, so nobody knew which way the Commanders were leaning. However, revelations after suggest they were high on Jayden Daniels almost from the outset.
Daniels' talent was never in question. Once those in power got to find out more about his mindset, ambition, and relentless desire to be the best, the decision was easy.
The Heisman Trophy winner repaid this faith instantly. Daniels took the league by storm en route to one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. His poise, dynamic playmaking ability, and composure in the brightest moments were jaw-dropping. He was the key that surged the Commanders into contention much sooner than anticipated.
Nothing rattles Daniels. He's a cold-blooded killer on the field and does it all with a smile on his face. The Commanders have a franchise-caliber quarterback at long last. It was the more pivotal piece of the puzzle — something Peters solved with his first draft pick.
Maximizing Daniels' rookie contract is the next challenge. But fans can relax safe in the knowledge they are in the best possible hands with Peters running the show.