Commanders Hire Adam Peters As GM; Mike Vrabel Next Coach?

Will Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters target Mike Vrabel as their next head coach?

The Washington Commanders made their first big move of the offseason, hiring San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to be their head of football operations. Now, Peters' first big decision will be finding the guy who will lead his team on the field. 

There's already no shortage of candidates, as the Commanders have already put in multiple requests to interview candidates to be their next head coach. That list consists of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. That list may expand once Peters is settled in as head of football ops.  

One name that hasn't been connected to the Commanders' job is former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was fired after six seasons at the helm in Tennessee going 54-45 with three playoff appearances from 2018 to 2023.  

Vrabel with Titans

If connections play a role in who Peters targets, that would give Slowik and Vrabel the edge. Slowik was with Peters in San Francisco from 2017 to 2022 before getting hired as the Texans' offensive coordinator. 

Peters began his front-office career with the New England Patriots in 2003 and was there for six seasons before leaving for the Denver Broncos in 2009. Peters' time in New England overlapped with Mike Vrabel, who played for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008. One potential caveat would be the Titans' general manager, Ron Carthon, came from San Francisco, though, his relationship with Vrabel reportedly was good, and didn't play a part in his firing.

Vrabel appeared to be a favorite for the Patriots' head coaching after they parted ways with Bill Belichick. That changed when they decided to hire Jerod Mayo, who was previously their inside linebacker coach. 

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With New England no longer being an option for Vrabel, that could lead him to Peters, who helped assemble one of the best rosters in football with the 49ers. With the five picks in the top 100 of the 2024 NFL Draft and the most cap space in the league, Peters and Vrabel will have an opportunity to lay a solid foundation this offseason. 

Getting the head coach right may be the most important part of Peters' job. Vrabel has found a way to get the most out of his rosters in Tennessee, though none have had the firepower San Francisco has had in recent years. 

The other candidates Washington is looking at may one day pan out, but Vrabel has proven to be one of the better coaches in the NFL. If Vrabel is interested, Peters should have the former Titans' head coach near or atop his head coaching candidates.