“It’s been surreal, it’s been incredible, it’s been an honor,” began Peters describing the first 24 hours of his being the new general manager of the Commanders.
“It’s been the whole gamut of emotions, and I couldn’t be more excited to be here with you guys, with this organization. It’s unbelievable.”
Peters said he researched the DMV area and believes “it’s a historic franchise, and this place is ready to explode.” He then discussed the number of draft picks and cap space the Commanders will have in the 2024 offseason.
But the final factor, according to Peters, was talking with new majority owner Josh Harris. Peters expressed after the dialog that he didn’t even take any other interviews and joked he probably cost himself because he lost his leverage to negotiate.
He then referred to the Commanders as “a cornerstone NFL franchise,” saying he was proud now to be a part of it. Peters also said he realized that coming to Washington to work for the Harris group would be an opportunity to start with a clean slate.
Peters played high school football, but after not receiving any good college offers, he went the Juco route. Then, with no good offers again, he walked on at UCLA (1999-2001).
“I grinded through that, and I grinded at New England, which is a grind, I’ll tell you that,” said a laughing Peters. “But I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” added a grateful Peters.
When asked about gathering talent for the roster, Peters did not hesitate to speak of talent being important but yet secondary to the character he desires to obtain for the roster.
Peters has learned good leadership does not simply isolate yourself from the laborers. “I think it is important with anybody to establish a connection with someone you are working with every single day and have a trust, a bond to be able to have hard conversations. I think that is by being around someone every day and they knowing you have their back and their best interest (at heart). That takes time to earn.”
Peters has experience selecting players in the draft, and now he will get his first experience in selecting an NFL head coach.
He closed, leaning forward in his chair, stating, “Commanders fans, I’m so excited to be here. I’m going to work tirelessly to make this team a winner. It’s not going to just be me. It’s going to be our coach, our ownership group, everybody in this building. We’re going to be all working together, and we’re going to put together a team you guys are going to be proud of for years and years. We are going to compete for championships every year, and we’re going to bring one back to the DMV.”
