Which head coach/general manager partnerships should the Washington Commanders consider during a critical upcoming cycle for the franchise?
Just two games remain before the Washington Commanders begin making significant changes to their staffing infrastructure. Ron Rivera has been a lame-duck head coach for almost the entire campaign. It's also becoming increasingly likely that Josh Harris' ownership group will relieve general manager Martin Mayhew of his duties in a little over a fortnight.
This is almost essential if the Commanders want to form a clear, sustainable plan for the future. This storied franchise has languished among the league's bottom-feeders for too long. Now that Harris' group has assessed everything across the organization and what more is needed, expect the actions to be swift and decisive in equal measure.
Which direction the Commanders will go is the big question. They could focus on individual candidates and their strengths. They could also appoint a duo with an already existing connection to enhance Washington's chances of hitting the ground running.
With this in mind, here are four head coach/general manager partnerships the Commanders must consider in 2024.
Commanders could look to the Chiefs
- Head Coach: Eric Bieniemy
- General Manager: Mike Borgonzi
Not giving Eric Bieniemy a chance to prove himself as the interim head coach might jeopardize his hopes of getting the Washington Commanders top job during the upcoming cycle. It cannot be completely dismissed, but the scenario does appear unlikely as things stand right now.
If the Commanders do seriously consider Bieniemy for a long-awaited promotion, then hiring Mike Borgonzi as general manager could be an option. The front office figure has played a leading role behind the scenes with the Kansas City Chiefs. He's also got a previous working relationship with the play-caller that resulted in two Super Bowls before he made the switch to Washington.
Unlikely? Yes. But nothing should or will be off the table as the Commanders finally look to get progressive minds and capable roster builders in key positions of power.
Commanders could look to the Ravens
- Head Coach: Mike Macdonald
- General Manager: Joe Hortiz
The Baltimore Ravens are rarely out of contention. They always draft well. They never go off the beaten track when it comes to their objectives. They identify problem positions and make the right moves to keep things trending in the right direction.
This sort of philosophy hasn't gone unnoticed by Josh Harrs' ownership group. Reports suggest this is the model they want to adopt in the hope it can have similar success with the Washington Commanders. It might also mean attentions are turned to current staff members in Baltimore to speed up the process.
Mike Macdonald is gaining momentum at the right time. The Ravens' defensive coordinator is coming in for significant praise thanks to his supreme strategies and ability to maximize every tool at his disposal. Solving the complex riddle of the San Francisco 49ers last time out did nothing to harm his chances of getting a top job in 2024.
Although this goes away from the current trend of hiring offensive-minded coaches, Macdonald is a worthy candidate. Especially if someone like Joe Hortiz also comes on board as Washington's new general manager.
Horitz is a key cog in the Ravens front office. He'll know exactly how the operation works. He'll also be more than capable of implementing the same ethos in a different environment if given the chance.
Providing the Commanders get an accomplished figure to run the offense, there are far worse avenues Josh Harris can go down with his first NFL hires.
Commanders could look to the 49ers
- Head Coach: Bobby Slowik
- General Manager: Adam Peters
If the Washington Commanders want to study successful models from around the league and copycat, then looking at the San Francisco 49ers is another smart approach. Something the billionaire might be able to discuss in greater depth with the NFC West outfit after the two sides square off at FedEx Field this weekend.
Adam Peters is going to be a hot name during the upcoming general manager cycle. He's seen as the Niners' secret weapon during their impressive roster management. Almost every decision aside from their trade-up for quarterback Trey Lance has been a home run. They've also managed to maintain financial flexibility while others around the NFL deal with substantial salary-cap complications.
The Commanders won't be alone if they wish to bring Peters to the franchise. He looks more than ready for a step up to become a primary shot-caller. This could also see Bobby Slowik generate head coaching interest to bring a previous connection to Washington.
Slowik and Peters have ties from their time together on the Niners. More importantly, the progressive coach has thrived in his role as Houston Texans offensive coordinator this season after following DeMeco Ryans to Texas.
His innovative concepts coupled with C.J. Stroud's development make Slowik an intriguing candidate. Whether the Commanders are after someone with a little more experience remains to be seen, but this tandem could potentially be on the shortlist when push comes to shove.
Commanders could look to the Lions
- Head Coach: Ben Johnson
- General Manager: Ray Agnew
Ben Johnson is the man most teams looking for a new head coach will examine in great detail. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator spurned multiple advances earlier this year to gain additional experience and see out his current project. This decision only increased the level of intrigue about what he might be capable of.
Johnson has the Lions' offense humming this season. He's done a fantastic job and looks to have the leadership credentials normally associated with NFL head coaches. His ability to galvanize quarterback Jared Goff continues to be a major positive.
The Washington Commanders should make an approach to interview Johnson, at the very least. They won't be the only team making considerable advances. But this looks like a more attractive destination than most with previous owner Dan Snyder no longer part of the equation.
If the Commanders end up hiring Ray Agnew as their general manager, it would enhance their chances of landing Johnson. The front office figure has been a key cog in Detroit's exceptional drafting and roster building in recent years. Something that finally saw them get over the hump and win the NFC North - their first divisional title since 1993.
An already-ripened partnership between Johnson and Agnew represents a tremendous piece of business for the Commanders in this scenario. It's an exciting time with every possible option being discussed. There's also a chance they could appoint separate general manager and head coaching candidates and allow a relationship to blossom.