Top 3 Commanders Head of Football Operations Candidates So Far
The Washington Commanders have a strong list of candidates to choose from when hiring their next head of football operations. And the hire will likely be managing partner Josh Harris' first since purchasing the franchise this past offseason, making it even more important he gets it right.
Helping him out are advisors Bob Myers and Rick Spielman, two Executive of the Year Award winners from the NBA and NFL respectively, as the trio sat down Tuesday to start the interview process for those who might be helping run the Commanders franchise as early as next week.
As we did with the coaches interviewing to lead Washington next season, here are our top three head of football operations candidates.
Washington Commanders managing partners Josh Harris (left) has enlisted the aid of previous NBA Executive of the Year Bob Myers (center) and previous NFL Executive of the Year Rick Spielman (right) in his search for a new head of football operations.
USA Today
1. San Francisco 49ers Assistant General Manager (GM) Adam Peters
At the conclusion of this season, Peters will have spent 21 years in NFL operations dating back to his start with the New England Patriots as a scouting assistant.
Since then, he's worked his way up through the scouting world eventually landing the role of director of college scouting for the Denver Broncos in 2016.
That led to his being hired by the 49ers in 2017 as their vice president of player personnel and elevation to assistant GM in 2021.
While with San Francisco that franchise has had great success in the NFL Draft with players like tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, defensive end Nick Bosa, quarterback Brock Purdy, and receiver Deebo Samuel among those added to the roster via the selection process.
Peters was also on the staff that executed a trade for former Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.
2. Philadelphia Eagles Assistant GM Alec Halaby
Including this season Halaby has spent 16 in the NFL and started in the same organization he currently works for.
He's worked his way up from being a football operations intern to becoming the assistant GM in 2022.
The Eagles have been able to build, and then rebuild, a championship contender twice in his time with the franchise drafting players like center Jason Kelce, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, and receiver DeVonta Smith along the way.
Halaby's first year as assistant GM Philadelphia pulled off a key trade to acquire receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. A move credited with helping spark the team's run to the Super Bowl last season.
While he's spent his entire career with the Eagles he's gotten up close and personal mentoring from general manager Howie Roseman who many consider to be the best in the league.
3. Chicago Bears Assistant GM Ian Cunningham
Another branch of the Roseman tree, Cunningham was hired to be the Bears' assistant GM in 2022 after spending years climbing the executive ladder with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia.
Some of the same Eagles personnel Halaby was on staff to help usher in Cunningham was also there for, including cornerback Avonte Maddox and defensive end Josh Sweat.
Another factor that may appeal to Harris is Cunningham's role in a front office that didn't rush to judgment on quarterback Justin Fields when many thought the team might move on from him before this season.
As a result, the Bears saw solid improvement across the offense and defense despite the fact they traded the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, and now have an improved team along with two valuable first-round picks in 2024 to go with it.
Harris has preached the desire to improve the Commanders quickly, but the understanding that the process can't be forced or rushed.
BEST OF THE REST
4. Kansas City Chiefs Assistant GM Mike Borgonzi
5. Cleveland Browns Assistant GM Glenn Cook
6. Dallas Cowboys Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay
Harris and his brain trust reportedly interviewed Peters, Borgonzi, and Cook on Tuesday and will meet with Halaby and Cunningham on Wednesday.
At the time of this writing, we are not aware of a date for McClay's interview or if he's even accepted the request.
