Hogs Haven
Washington Post (paywall)
The Commanders general manager’s previous stops — including in the Denver Broncos’ front office for eight years — could help him as he faces a new challenge.
When John Elway replaced Xanders as GM in 2011, a meeting was held that included coach John Fox, Peters and other scouts. Elway had been a Hall of Fame player, but running a front office was new. In getting him up to speed, they went through the roster and mapped out a plan to turn things around.
Peters helped bring that plan to fruition. Denver made the playoffs five seasons in a row starting in 2011 and won Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season. Going through that process taught Peters how to overcome adversity and find success.
“His respect and standing in the company really never wavered,” former Broncos executive Mark Thewes said. “[Elway] respected his views, and it just blossomed from there. You could see it early: He was destined to be at a higher level.”
Peters is trying to replicate that success with the Commanders, who will host the Broncos (9-2) on “Sunday Night Football.” Things went better than imagined in his first year on the job, with Washington going 12-5 and reaching the NFC championship game. But in Year 2, Washington (3-8) is struggling mightily. The Commanders’ belief that Peters can turn things around stems from his track record of doing just that.
Naturally, the Commanders’ struggles this year have led to a more careful examination of his roster-building. Outside of Daniels, there’s not another clear hit from the nine draft picks — including six in the first three rounds — he made in 2024.
In his previous stops, Peters was part of staffs that navigated those types of situations well. He proved adaptable and learned from his mistakes.
Peters undergoes an evaluation process every offseason. That includes assessing his staff and himself with a critical lens. While he notes the positives, he tends to learn more from breaking down what went wrong.
He will analyze how the front office and coaching staff work together, what they value in the scouting process and the way they approach free agency, contract negotiations and the draft.
“He’s smart enough to take the good, eliminate the bad and kind of develop what he wants to do in Washington,” said Russell, now an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles. “He’s got the confidence to do that as opposed to [saying], ‘I’m going to do it this way.’”
The Athletic (paywall)
Miller thought his next stop would be a continuation of the others — joining another star quarterback for another year of winning.
“You just can’t leave Josh Allen and go anywhere, man,” Miller said after arriving in Washington this past summer. “And whenever you get older...
