Washington Commanders Punter Tress Way Praises 'Very Authentic' Owner Josh Harris

Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris has a lot of challenges ahead of him and his most veteran player has faith in the path he's following.

Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris before the game / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders went through years of outside speculation about whether or not the team would be sold by force, by will, or even at all.

So when the move was finally made and Josh Harris was installed as the Commanders' new managing partner in a 20+ member ownership group there was excitement and there were expectations.

Those expectations are that Harris will usher in a new era of Washington football, an era that reminds fans like himself of what it was like to watch the glory days of DMV sports at RFK Stadium.

Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris before the game / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

HIs first full year of ownership was capped off with just four wins and an 'F-' in the NFLPA's annual player survey about organizations and leadership.

Of course, that survey was taken before the 2023 season began so it's not so much reflective of Harris' job thus far, but more about what he's inherited.

And as veteran punter Tress Way pointed out, there is faith in what Harris is doing with the Commanders, not just from the outside but from the inside as well.

"The NFLPA survey also had a grade for the ownership of how we believed or how players would believe if they're willing to invest or not. And I believe that Mr. Harris had a pretty great approval rating," Way pointed out. "And that is the way he talks to us. I think he, he's very authentic. He's very, very grateful and humble. And so I know that it's just part of the long game. It is just how it goes. Anybody that's ever been waiting on a house to be built or see a neighborhood go up, things just aren't going to happen overnight. But as long as people are doing their jobs and trying to do it the right way and then typically some good things will start happening and I'm really honored to be a part of that."

Harris himself has pointed out the same sentiment that improvements will be made along the way and the team just recently secured $86 million in funds to improve current accomadations all while working toward securing what will eventually become the new home of Washington football down the road.

To use Way's analogy of building a house, there aren't many who pour that much into a home they plan on moving out of as soon as possible.

So the efforts aren't lost on the players, and will likely lead to Harris having high marks again in the next survey. And as the excitement continues to build with the Commanders beginning their offseason program on Tuesday it's the improvements on and off the field that have so many anticipating what's coming next.