The Commanders have a new owner this offseason. They will soon have a new head coach. Now they have a new senior executive to help them with the overhaul. set on Friday Former 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters is taking over the front office.
As CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones confirmed, the decision comes days after Washington reportedly narrowed its search for a new head of football operations to Peters and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who was also interviewed.
Peters, 44, spent the last three seasons as 49ers GM John Lynch's right-hand man and worked for the same front office in San Francisco that drafted or acquired key playmakers like quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey. Prior to his promotion to assistant GM, Peters served as the team's vice president of player personnel from 2017 to 2020. During his time with the franchise, the 49ers have won three different NFC Championships as well as a Super Bowl.
While the Commanders technically still employ Martin Mayhew, another former 49ers executive, as their current GM, Peters will be tasked with organizing leadership under him in the front office. It's possible that both Mayhew and former Panthers GM Marty Hurney, who serves as executive vice president of football personnel, will have their roles reassigned or replaced.
Peters brings extensive title-fighting experience to the Commanders team, who are also looking for a coach following the firing of Ron Rivera. Prior to his time with the 49ers, the California native spent eight years with the Broncos, first as a scout and then as director of college scouting, where he helped identify future Denver Pro Bowlers such as Justin Simmons and Chris Harris. He began his NFL career as a scout for the Patriots and served in that role from 2003 to 2008, a span in which New England won two Super Bowls.
Peters' background could shed light on the Commanders' top targets as head coach under new controlling owner Joshua Harris. For example, Washington recently asked to interview Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Slowik previously spent six years with the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and was traded to San Francisco in the same season. Peters started working for the team.