3 Commanders Coaching Candidates With Ties to GM Adam Peters

Adam Peters could look to his past to hire the next coach for the Washington Commanders.

The Washington Commanders are beginning their head coaching search after hiring Adam Peters to be the next general manager for the franchise.

Peters will be responsible for picking Ron Rivera's successor, an important decision as he begins his tenure in the nation's capital.

Here's a look at three possible candidates with ties to Peters. 

USA Today

Bobby Slowik: Offensive Coordinator, Houston Texans

Connection to Peters: Served in various roles on 49ers coaching staff -- including passing game coordinator -- from 2017-2022.

Picking the hot offensive coordinator to be your next coach doesn't always work out, but it's undeniable how effective Slowik has been working not only with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, but young weapons like receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Maybe Slowik needs another year or two of seasoning as an OC, but the Commanders have already requested an interview with him, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. 

Mike LaFleur: Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams

Connection to Peters: Was passing game coordinator for 49ers from 2017-2020

LaFleur being part of the unsuccessful development of former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson probably hurts him in this discussion, especially considering the Commanders are likely to take a quarterback with the second overall pick in 2024. At the same time, the 2021 New York Jets were probably the worst roster in the NFL, and it looks increasingly possible that Wilson was destined to be a bust wherever he landed. It's telling that LaFleur immediately landed on Sean McVay's staff as the Rams offensive coordinator, and with connections to him, Kyle Shanahan, and, of course, his older brother Matt, it feels like a matter of when the 36-year-old becomes a coach himself. 

Commanders Narrow GM Search To Two

Steve Wilks: Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers

Connection to Peters: Worked together with 49ers in 2023

Wilks was seemingly set up for failure by the Arizona Cardinals in his first shot at being a coach, getting fired after a barren roster went 3-13 in 2018. However, he led the Carolina Panthers to a 6-6 record as their interim coach in 2022, which is impressive considering they had gone 1-4 before Matt Rhule was fired. There was a bit of an adjustment period as he took over for DeMeco Ryans as defensive coordinator in San Francisco this season, but the 54-year-old unquestionably deserves another shot to coach in the NFL.