The Washington Commanders are being looked at differently these days. That will inevitably come with interest in free agents, coaches, and front-office personnel when the offseason arrives.
That's the nature of the business. Struggling teams are always willing to offer promotions and significant responsibilities in the hope of capturing some of the magic. Some cases work out well while others fail miserably.
The Commanders are in a fantastic long-term position. General manager Adam Peters spearheaded a complete teardown of the football operation, installing professionalism and purpose in the front office through exceptional hires all working collaboratively toward one common goal.
Washington's results speak for themselves. They are riding on the crest of a wave and reached the postseason in Year 1 under the new regime. The fanbase is reignited and there is hope this is just the start of a profitable period in franchise history.
That will see others cast alluring glances at potential additions. Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated highlighted Lance Newmark as a name to watch depending on what Ben Johnson decides.
Commanders could lose Lance Newmark if Ben Johnson takes head coaching plunge
The NFL insider highlighted Johnson and Newmark's connection during their time together on the Detroit Lions as something that could spark a reunion elsewhere. The offensive coordinator turned down head coaching jobs over the previous two hiring cycles. He might not do the same again.
"[Lance] Newmark is another guy who’s very highly thought of in the scouting community, and is drawing notice now with more and more wins attached to his reputation. Newmark spent 26 seasons in Detroit—he even overlapped with Barry Sanders there for a year—and was most recently a part of the Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes renaissance. Last year, Adam Peters plucked him to make him his No. 2, and the turnaround in Washington speaks for itself. I could see [Ben] Johnson taking Newmark with him if he landed in a place like Jacksonville."Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Newmark played a leading role behind the scenes and is a respected talent evaluator. Losing him would be a blow for Peters entering his second offseason at the helm. Making contingencies to prepare for every eventuality is crucial to ensure no momentum is lost.
It would have to be a decent offer for Newmark — or anyone else, for that matter — to leave the exciting project in Washington. At the same time, there are only 32 general manager positions to go around. Getting the chance to run an NFL program is a prestigious distinction he'll find difficult to turn down.
There's nothing the Commanders can do about that. They're not going to stand in the way of those who think the grass is greener elsewhere. Focusing on making progress with the vast resources available is the objective regardless of whether Newmark is around or not.
Newmark's future with the Commanders could depend on Johnson. He might get approached by other teams given the esteem in which he is held and the face Washington's rebuild is way ahead of schedule. Peters has worked in winning front offices throughout his NFL journey, so there's a good chance he can keep complications to a minimum.
Watch this space...