Leaders appoint Adam Peters as general manager

The Washington Commanders have officially hired San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to be their general manager after an exhaustive but quick process to find a new voice to lead the franchise, the team announced Monday.

Peters, who was in the 49ers' front office for seven seasons, helped build a roster considered by many to be one of the best in the NFL. In Peters' time in San Francisco, as vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager, the team had four winning seasons and multiple playoff selections. The 49ers have also won the NFC West in three of the past five seasons.

“I am extremely grateful to Josh Harris and the Washington Leaders Ownership Group for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Peters said. “My family and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the DMV community and look forward to connecting with the famous and passionate Commanders fan base. I am forever grateful to the York family, John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and the entire 49ers organization for an amazing experience. Throughout my career in the DMV “Football, I've learned that successful organizations start with a strong ownership group willing to devote the resources needed to foster a winning culture. We have that here in Washington and it's my goal of responsibility and privilege to carry out the mission of delivering a team that will ultimately compete for Super Bowls.” I know how much the Leaders mean to our fans, our owners, and the legends who paved the way for this franchise and the NFL. “The work starts now.”

Peters has been part of several winning organizations during his 21 years in the NFL. He began his career as a scout for the New England Patriots, who reached the Super Bowl three times and won twice during his six years there. He was then hired by the Broncos and rose from being a scout to assistant director of college scouting and eventually director of college scouting. With Peyton Manning at quarterback from 2012 to 2015, the Broncos made the playoffs in five straight seasons and won the Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers.

Peters was hired by the 49ers in 2017, and has since had a hand in crafting some of the most important foundational pieces that make up the 49ers roster. The roster includes George Kittle, a five-time Pro Bowler and 2019 First Team All-Pro; Fred Warner, widely considered one of, if not the, best quarterbacks in the NFL, who has earned three Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pro awards; Talanoa Hufanga, 2022 Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro; And Brock Purdy, who finished fifth in passing yards, fourth in completion percentage and third in touchdowns after being the last pick in the 2022 draft.

That's not even mentioning being part of the front office staff that traded for running back Christian McCaffrey, who led the league in rushing yards this season and was named MVP.

Peters, one of the most sought-after executives on the market this offseason, takes over a roster of leaders with nine draft picks, including the No. 2 overall pick and some of the available cap space expected in the NFL when the new league year begins. There are also pieces to build on on both sides of the ball such as wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Brian Robinson Jr. along with defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

The next step for Washington will be to hire a new coach, a search that has reportedly already begun. Managing partner Josh Harris has assembled a search committee that includes former executives Bob Myers and Rick Spielman as well as limited partners Earvin “Magic” Johnson, David Blitzer and Mitch Ralls to conduct those interviews, but as the new managing director, Peters is expected to play a large role in that search. .

“When we embarked on this process, our goal was to find a leader with a proven track record of excellence and a strong work ethic, as well as an innovative and strategic approach to building a championship organization,” Josh Harris, managing partner of the Washington Commanders, said. “The DMV and our fans deserve a winning culture and organization. Adam is an impressive executive who is committed to developing elite talent, building a positive culture, and helping restore this franchise to the highest levels. I look forward to working with him in many areas for years to come, especially as we navigate the This is an important season. I also greatly appreciate the support I have received from my partners, including Mitch Riles, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and David Blitzer, as well as advisors Bob Myers and Rick Spielman, during this process.”