| Washington Commanders | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Current season | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| General information | |||||||||||||
| Established | July 9, 1932; 93 years ago (1932-07-09) | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Northwest Stadium(Landover, Maryland) | ||||||||||||
| Headquartered | Ashburn, Virginia[a] | ||||||||||||
| Colors |
| ||||||||||||
| Fight song | "Hail to the Commanders" | ||||||||||||
| Mascot | Major Tuddy | ||||||||||||
| Website | commanders | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner | Josh Harris | ||||||||||||
| President | Mark Clouse | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Adam Peters | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Dan Quinn | ||||||||||||
| Nicknames | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Team history | |||||||||||||
| Home fields | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| League / conference affiliations | |||||||||||||
National Football League (1932–present)
| |||||||||||||
| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 5
| |||||||||||||
| Conference championships: 5 | |||||||||||||
| Division championships: 15 | |||||||||||||
| Playoff appearances (26) | |||||||||||||
| Owners | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
TheWashington Commanders are a professionalAmerican football team based in theWashington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in theNational Football League (NFL) as a member of theNational Football Conference (NFC)East division. The franchise was founded byGeorge Preston Marshall as theBoston Braves in1932, were renamed theBoston Redskins thefollowing year, and became theWashington Redskins uponmoving to Washington, D.C., in1937. TheRedskins name and logodrew criticism for decades before they were retired in2020 as part of awave of name changes during aperiod of racial unrest in the United States. The team played as theWashington Football Team for two seasons before rebranding as the Commanders in2022.
The Commanders play their home games atNorthwest Stadium inLandover, Maryland, and have a headquarters and training facility inAshburn, Virginia. The Commanders have played more than 1,300 games and have won more than 600. Washington was among the first NFL franchises with an originalfight song, "Hail to the Commanders", which has been played bytheir marching band after home gametouchdowns since 1937. The franchise wonNFL championships in1937 and1942 and Super BowlsXVII (1982),XXII (1987), andXXVI (1991). The Commanders have finished a season as league runner-up six times, losing the1936,1940,1943, and1945 title games and Super BowlsVII (1972) andXVIII (1983). Washington has 14 division titles and 26 totalplayoff appearances.
All of Washington's championships were attained during two 10-year spans. From1936 to1945, the team went to theNFL Championship six times, winning two of them under general managerJack Espey and head coachRay Flaherty. Washington appeared in four Super Bowls and won three under ownerJack Kent Cooke, general managersBobby Beathard andCharley Casserly, and head coachJoe Gibbs from1982 to1991. From1946 to1970, Washington posted just four winning seasons and never reached the playoffs. They went without a single winning season from1956 to1968 and achieved their worst regular-season record,1–12–1, in1961. From their 1991 Super Bowl victory through2024, the team notched just four NFC East division titles and three playoff wins.
.jpg)
The city ofBoston was awarded aNational Football League (NFL) franchise on July 9, 1932, under the ownership of American businessmanGeorge Preston Marshall.[1][2] The team was named after theBoston Braves baseball team, with whom they sharedBraves Field, with theinaugural season coached byLud Wray. The team saw several changes in1933, including a name change to the "Redskins" and playing their home games atFenway Park, home of theBoston Red Sox. Wray was also replaced at head coach byLone Star Dietz.[3][4][5]
The situation faced by Marshall in Boston was difficult. In 1935, Joe F. Carr opined: "To the casual observer bred in the knowledge ofNew England's place in football's sun, because its cradle and nursery were there, the success of a Boston team in the professional ranks would be a foregone conclusion. Nothing could have been more erroneous. Boston finished the most forbidding ground for professional football of any large city in the country. The history of the game in Boston and New England was entirely associated with college, preparatory, and high school playing. Its eminence as an institution of sport grew in a hallowed atmosphere as an almost sacrosanct element of education which was to be kept ever free from commercial pollution."[6] The Redskins appeared in the1936 NFL Championship Game, their first championship appearance, but lost to theGreen Bay Packers 21–6.
After five years in Boston, which Marshall said showed a lack of interest in the team, the Redskins moved toWashington, D.C., in 1937.[7] The team arranged to shareGriffith Stadium with theWashington Senators, anAmerican League baseball team.[8] In their first game in D.C., the season opener, the Redskins defeated theNew York Giants.[1] The same season, they earned their first division title in Washington with a49–14 win over the Giants.[1] Shortly after, the team won their first championship by defeating theChicago Bears in the1937 NFL Championship Game.[1]
The Redskins met theBears again in the1940 NFL Championship Game.[9] The result,73–0 in favor of the Bears, remains the worst one-sided loss in NFL history.[9] The Redskins won their second championship in1942, defeating theBears14–6.[9] In1943, Dutch Bergman was named head coach and led the team to a return to theNFL championship game, however they were defeated by the Chicago Bears41–21.[9] That same season,Sammy Baugh led the NFL in passing,punting, andinterceptions.[10]
The Redskins played in the NFL Championship one more time before a quarter-century drought that lasted until the1972 season. With former Olympicgold medalistDudley DeGroot as their new head coach, theRedskins went8–2 during the1945 season. One of the most impressive performances came from Baugh, who had a completion percentage of 70.3.[11] They ended the season by losing to theCleveland Rams in the1945 NFL Championship Game, 15–14.[9] The one-point margin of victory came under scrutiny because of asafety that occurred early in the game. In the first quarter, the Redskins had the ball at their own 5-yard line. Dropping back into theend zone,quarterback Baugh threw to an open receiver, but the ball hit the goal post and bounced back to the ground in the end zone. Under the rules at the time, this was ruled as a safety and thus gave the Rams a 2–0 lead. Marshall was so upset at the outcome that he became a major force in passing a major rule change after the season, in which a forward pass that struck the goalpost was automatically ruled incomplete. This later became known as the "Baugh/Marshall Rule".[12]
The Redskins had four head coaches from 1946 to 1951, including former playersTurk Edwards andDick Todd, plusJohn Whelchel andHerman Ball.[13] Meanwhile, Marshall sought to make the Redskins the most profitable franchise in the league. On June 14, 1950, the team announced that it would become the first NFL team to televise all of its games in a season, thanks to sponsorship by theAmerican Oil Company.[14] In February 1952, Marshall hired former Green Bay Packers coachEarl "Curly" Lambeau.,[14] but fired him two seasons later after theRedskins lost in their exhibition opener to theLos Angeles Rams. Marshall hiredJoe Kuharich,[14] who in 1955, led theRedskins to their first winning season in ten years and was namedSporting News Coach of the Year andUPI NFL Coach of the Year.[15]
In1961, the Redskins moved into D.C. Stadium, which would be renamedRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969. The first game in the new stadium occurred on October 1 in front of 37,767 fans. The Redskins failed to hold a 14-point lead and lost to theNew York Giants24–21.[16] That same year,Bill McPeak became the head coach and had a record of21–46–3 over five seasons. During his tenure, he helped draft future stars: wide receiverCharley Taylor, tight endJerry Smith, safetyPaul Krause, centerLen Hauss, and linebackerChris Hanburger.[17] He also helped pull off two important trades, gaining quarterbackSonny Jurgensen from thePhiladelphia Eagles and linebackerSam Huff from theNew York Giants.[18] In1966,Otto Graham was hired as the new head coach. Graham coached the Redskins for three seasons for a record of17–22–3. He resigned after the1968 season, and the team hired former Green Bay Packers head coachVince Lombardi for the same role.
During most of this unsuccessful period, Marshall continually refused to integrate the team, despite pressure from theU.S. government.[19] Two months into theKennedy administration on March 24, 1961,Secretary of the InteriorStewart Udall warned Marshall to hire black players or face federal retribution.[20] For the first time in history, the federal government had attempted to desegregate a professional sports team.[21] The Redskins were under the threat ofcivil rights legal action by the Kennedy administration, which would have prevented a segregated team from playing at the new federally-ownedD.C. Stadium, managed by theU.S. Department of the Interior.[22] The Redskins' previous venue,Griffith Stadium, was owned by the Griffith family, owners of theWashington Senators, who moved and became theMinnesota Twins in1961.
In1962, Washington became the final professional American football franchise to integrate. First, the Redskins selected running backErnie Davis ofSyracuse with thefirst overall pick in the1962 NFL draft; Davis was the first black player to win theHeisman Trophy and the first to be the top selection in an NFL draft.[20][23] Washington also tookfullbackRon Hatcher ofMichigan State in theeighth round, who became the first black player to sign a contract with the team.[21][24]
In December 1961, Marshall announced he had traded the rights to Davis to theCleveland Browns, who wanted Davis to join the league's leading rusher,Jim Brown, in their backfield.[23] Davis was traded for veteran running backBobby Mitchell, who became awide receiver in Washington, D.C., and 1962 first-round draft choiceLeroy Jackson ofWestern Illinois.[21][25] The move was made under unfortunate circumstances – as it turned out that Davis hadleukemia, and died without ever playing a down in professional football.[21] The Redskins ended the1962 season with their best record in five years:5–7–2. Mitchell led the league with 11 touchdowns, and caught 72 passes and was selected to thePro Bowl. In time, Mitchell would be joined by other black players like receiverCharley Taylor, running backLarry Brown,defensive backBrig Owens, and guardJohn Nisby.[21]
Marshall appointed board memberEdward Bennett Williams to run the team's daily operations in 1965 due to declining health.[26] He acquired controlling interest in the franchise following Marshall's death on August 9, 1969.[26][27] In1969, Williams hired formerGreen Bay Packers head coachVince Lombardi for the same role, granting him a 5% stake in ownership and full control over football operations as the team's executive vice president.[28] Lombardi coached the Redskins to a7–5–2 record, their first winning season since1955, but died from cancer shortly before the start of the1970 season.[28]Bill Austin, appointed earlier by Lombardi, served as interim head coach for the season.
On January 6, 1971, Williams hired formerLos Angeles Rams head coachGeorge Allen as head coach and general manager.[29] Partial to seasoned veterans instead of highly touted young players, Allen's teams became known as theOver-the-Hill Gang.[30] Thatseason, theRedskins made theplayoffs for the first time since 1945 with a9–4–1 record[13] with Redskins first-year head coach George Allen winning the 1971NFL Coach of the Year award, the second of his career, having won his first in 1967 as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.[31] However, they lost in the Divisional Playoffs to theSan Francisco 49ers, 24–20.[32]
Thefollowing season, theRedskins hosted their first postseason game in Washington since 1942, where they beat theGreen Bay Packers 16–3 in theNFC Divisional Playoffs.[9] The Redskins reached theNFC Championship Game, and in a much-anticipated match-up against the arch-rivalDallas Cowboys, the Redskins placekickerCurt Knight kicked an 18-yard field goal in the second quarter to get the scoring underway, after which Redskins quarterbackBilly Kilmer connected with wide receiverCharley Taylor on a 15-yard touchdown pass giving Washington a 10–3 lead at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Kilmer again went to Taylor, this time for a 45-yard touchdown. Knight added three more field goals during that period and so-called "The Over-The-Hill-Gang" defense allowed only a second-quarter field goal. The final score was Washington 26, Dallas 3.[33] After winning the NFC Championship, the Redskins went on to lose to theundefeatedMiami Dolphins 14–7 inSuper Bowl VII.[32] Redskins running backLarry Brown was named the 1972NFL MVP.[34] The Redskins again made the playoffs in1973,1974, and1976, only to lose all three times in the first round.[32] After the team failed to make the playoffs inRedskins despite a9–5 record, Allen was fired and was replaced at head coach byJack Pardee.[13]
Canadian-American businessmanJack Kent Cooke, who had owned minority shares of the Redskins and been a board member since 1960, purchased majority interest fromEdward Bennett Williams in 1974.[27] Due to NFL rules at the time disallowing controlling ownership in other leagues, he allowed Williams to operate the team until selling his other properties, the NBA'sLos Angeles Lakers and the NHL'sLos Angeles Kings, toJerry Buss in May 1979.[27] Cooke became the team's sole owner in 1985 after purchasing the remaining shares from Williams for around $9 million.[27]
Jack Pardee, the 1979NFL Coach of the Year, was fired following a6–10 record in1980.[35] On January 13, 1981, Cooke hiredSan Diego Chargers offensive coordinatorJoe Gibbs as head coach.[36] During the offseason, the Redskins acquired players such asMark May,Russ Grimm, andDexter Manley in the1981 NFL draft.[37] After starting the1981 season0–5, the Redskins won eight out of their next 11 games and finished the season8–8 but fourth in the NFC East.[38]
Starting on September 21, 1982,[36] the NFL faced a 57-day long players'strike, which reduced the1982 season from a 16-game schedule to nine.[39][40] Because of the shortened season, the NFL adopted a special 16-team playoff tournament in which eight teams from each conference were seeded 1–8 based on their regular season records. After the strike was settled, the Redskins dominated, winning six out of the seven remaining games to make the playoffs for the first time since 1976.[13]
In January 1983, during the second round of theplayoffs against theMinnesota Vikings,John Riggins rushed for franchise playoff record 185 yards, leading Washington to a 21–7 win.[41] The game is perhaps best known for a moment when the stadium physically shook as a crowd chanted "We Want Dallas!", which later became a rallying cry of sorts for Redskin fans before games against the Cowboys.[42] In the NFC Championship Game against them atRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Redskins defensive endDexter Manley knocked Cowboys' quarterbackDanny White out for the rest of the game and sent him into the locker room shortly before halftime. Later in the game, Redskins defensive tackleDarryl Grant intercepted a tipped pass that he returned for a 10-yard touchdown off of Cowboys' backup quarterbackGary Hogeboom. John Riggins rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries and the Redskins went on to defeat the Cowboys' by a score of 31–17.[36] The Redskins' firstSuper Bowl win and their first NFL Championship in 40 years was inSuper Bowl XVII, where the Redskins defeated theMiami Dolphins 27–17.[9] Riggins provided the game's signature play on 4th and inches with the Redskins down 17–13 when the coaches called "70 Chip", a play designed for short yardage.[43] Riggins instead gained 43 yards (39 meters) by running through would-be tacklerDon McNeal and getting the go-ahead touchdown. The Redskins ended up winning by a 27–17 score with John Riggins winning theSuper Bowl MVP.[44][45]
After the1982 season Redskins placekickerMark Moseley was the first and only placekicker in NFL history to be named theNFL's Most Valuable Player;[46] Moseley made 20 of 21 field goals attempted in 1982.[47] Redskins head coachJoe Gibbs also won his firstNFL Coach of the Year award in 1982, which was the first of his back-to-back NFL Coach of the Year awards, his second coming in the1983 NFL season.[48]
CornerbackDarrell Green and defensive endCharles Mann were selected in the1983 NFL draft and became key contributors for the team; Green would play his entire 20-year career with the Redskins. On October 1, 1983, the Redskins lost to theGreen Bay Packers 48–47 in the highest-scoringMonday night football game in history, in which both teams combined for more than 1,000 yards (910 m) of total offense.[36] Then during the regular-season finale on December 17, 1983, Moseley set an NFL scoring record with 161 points while Riggins' total of 144 points was second. This marked the first time since 1951 that the top two scorers in a season played on the same team.[36] They dominated the NFL with a 14-win season which included scoring a then NFL record 541 points,[49] many of which came from Riggins, who scored 24 touchdowns. Redskins quarterbackJoe Theismann would also be named the 1983 NFL's Most Valuable Player, finishing the season with a career-high with 3,714 yards passing and 29 touchdown passes while throwing only 11 interceptions. In the postseason, the Redskins beat theLos Angeles Rams 51–7.[9] The next week, Washington beat theSan Francisco 49ers 24–21 in theNFC Championship Game.[9] It was their final win of the season because two weeks later, theRaiders beat the Redskins 38–9 inSuper Bowl XVIII.[9]
The Redskins finished the1984 season with an11–5 record[13] and won the NFC East for the third consecutive season.[36] However, they lost in the first round of theplayoffs to theChicago Bears, 23–19.[9] On November 18, 1985, while playing against theGiants, Theismann broke his leg during a sack byLawrence Taylor. Thecompound fracture forced him to retire after a 12-year career, during which he had become the Redskins' all-time leader in pass attempts and completions.[36] The Redskins finished 3rd in the NFC East behind theCowboys and missed the wild card to the Giants by virtue oftiebreakers.[50][51]
The 1986 offseason's major highlight occurred during the1986 NFL draft when the Redskins picked up future Super Bowl MVPMark Rypien in the sixth round. The Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley also set a franchise single-season record when he recorded 18.5 sacks while earningAll-Pro honors. In1986 season, the Redskins made the postseason as a wild-card team despite having a regular-season record of12–4.[13] They won the Wild Card playoff against the Rams and then against the Bears in the Divisional playoffs. This game was Gibbs's 70th career win, which made him the winningest head coach in Redskins history.[36] The season ended the next week, however, when the Redskins lost to the eventualSuper Bowl XXI Champion Giants 17–0 in the NFC Championship game.[9][36]
The1987 NFL season began with aplayers' strike that reduced the 16-game season to 15.[52] No Redskins players crossed the picket line—the only such team—and the games for Weeks 4–6 were won with all-replacement squads.[53] Those three victories, often credited with getting the team into the playoffs, are the basis for the 2000 movieThe Replacements. The Redskins won their second championship inSuper Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988, in San Diego, California. The Redskins routed theDenver Broncos 42–10[9] after starting the game down 10–0, the largest come-from-behind victory in Super Bowl history, which was tied by theNew Orleans Saints inSuper Bowl XLIV and theNew England Patriots inSuper Bowl XLIX. This game is also noted forSuper Bowl MVP quarterbackDoug Williams, who threw four touchdowns in the second quarter en route to becoming the first black quarterback to lead his team to a championship,[54] and for rookie running backTimmy Smith, who ran for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards (187 m).[54]
In1988, the team missed the playoffs with a7–9 record.[55] The1989 Redskins finished with a10–6 record but missed the playoffs. The team is best remembered for"The Posse"—Art Monk,Gary Clark, andRicky Sanders—the first trio of NFL wide receivers to post more than 1,000 yards apiece in a single season. Also, Redskins head coachJoe Gibbs achieved his 100th career victory in a week-14 win against theSan Diego Chargers. The Redskins returned to theplayoffs in1990 as a Wild Card team, but lost in the Divisional round to the49ers.[9]
The1991 season started with a franchise-record 11 straight wins.[56] "The Hogs", under the coaching of Redskins offensive line coachJoe Bugel, allowed a franchise-record nine sacks, the third-lowest total in NFL history.[56] The offense also dominated under head football coachJoe Gibbs, scoring 485 points, more than any other teamthat year.[57] The defense was also dominant under defensive coordinatorRichie Petitbon, giving up 224 total points, second-best of any team that year, while holding opponents scoreless three times.[58][59] After posting a14–2 record, the Redskins dominated theplayoffs, beating theFalcons andLions by a combined score of 64–17.[9] On January 26, 1992, the Redskins wonSuper Bowl XXVI by defeating theBuffalo Bills 37–24;[9] QBMark Rypien won theSuper Bowl MVP award.[60] After the Super Bowl, the Redskins set another franchise record by sending eight players to thePro Bowl.[56] The1991 Washington Redskins are widely considered one of the best teams in NFL history.[61]
In1992, the Redskins reached the playoffs as a wild-card team, but lost in theDivisional playoffs to the49ers, 20–13.[62][63] On October 12, 1992,Art Monk became the NFL's all-time leading pass receiver by catching his 820th career reception against theDenver Broncos onMonday Night Football.[56] The era ended on March 5, 1993, when Gibbs retired after 12 years of coaching with the Redskins.[56] Gibbs later foundedJoe Gibbs Racing.[64]
After the end of Gibbs' first tenure, the Redskins hired former Redskins playerRichie Petitbon for the1993 season. However, his first and only year as head coach, theRedskins finished with a record of4–12.[13] Petitbon was fired at the end of the season and on February 2, 1994,Norv Turner was hired as head coach after being theoffensive coordinator of theDallas Cowboys.[56]1994 was even worse as they finished3–13, their worst season in over 30 years. Their sole bright spot that year came on October 9, 1994, linebackerMonte Coleman played in his 206th career game with the Redskins, which broke Art Monk's team record for games played (Coleman retired at season's end with 216 games played).[56] They improved to6–10 in1995 where they were able to get a season sweep on the eventualSuper Bowl XXX Champions the Dallas Cowboys. On March 13, 1996, Redskins ownerJack Kent Cooke,Maryland GovernorParris Glendening, andPrince George's County ExecutiveWayne K. Curry signed a contract that paved the way for the immediate start of construction for the new home of the Redskins (now Northwest Stadium).[56] The1996 season saw Washington post their first winning record in 4 years by finishing9–7. On December 22, 1996, the Redskins played their final game atRFK Stadium, a victory over theDallas Cowboys 37–10, and finished their tenure at the stadium with a173–102–3 record, including11–1 in the playoffs.[56]
On April 6, 1997, Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke died ofcongestive heart failure at the age of 84.[56] In his will, Cooke left the Redskins to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, with instructions to sell the team. In the meantime, management of the team was given to son and executive vice president John Kent Cooke.[56][65] On September 14, 1997, the Redskins played in their new stadium for the first time and beat theArizona Cardinals, 19–13 in overtime.[56] On November 23, 1997, they played theNew York Giants and the result was a 7–7 tie, the Redskins first tie game since the1971 season. They would finish19978–7–1 and would miss theplayoffs for the fifth season in a row. CornerbackDarrell Green would break Monte Coleman's record for games played with the team during the season.[56] The1998 season started with a seven-game losing streak,[66] and the Redskins finished with a6–10 record.[67]
_(cropped).jpg)
On May 25, 1999, Cooke sold the Redskins to local businessmanDaniel Snyder for $800 million after being unable to raise sufficient funds to keep the team.[56][68] Snyder sold the naming rights to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium toFedEx in November 1999, becomingFedExField.[56]
In Snyder's firstseason as owner, the Redskins went10–6,[13] including a four-game winning streak early in the season,[69] and made it to the playoffs for the first time inNorv Turner's career (and the first time for the Redskins since1992) in the final game of the season (on January 2, 2000, against theDolphins). Running backStephen Davis rushed for a then franchise record 1,405 yards and quarterbackBrad Johnson completed a then franchise record 316 passes and threw for more than 4,000 yards in regular play that season.[70] They then defeated theDetroit Lions in the first round of theplayoffs, but lost to theBuccaneers, 14–13.[71][72]
In the2000 NFL draft, the team picked futurePro BowlerChris Samuels and the tumultuousLaVar Arrington. The first half of the2000 season saw five consecutive wins, but subsequent losses led to Turner's firing mid-season; under interim head coachTerry Robiskie, the team finished8–8.[73][70][13] During the final game of the season,Larry Centers became the NFL's all-time leader in receptions by arunning back with 685.[70]
On January 3, 2001, the Redskins hired formerCleveland Browns andKansas City Chiefs head coachMarty Schottenheimer.[70] The2001 season began with a loss to theSan Diego Chargers, 30–3, two days before theSeptember 11, 2001, attacks. On September 13, the Redskins announced the establishment of the Redskins Relief Fund to help families of the victims of the attack at the Pentagon; it would raise more than $700,000 in the first season.[70] The team finished8–8[13] and Schottenheimer was fired after the final game. Snyder would say in a 2013 interview that Schottenheimer was fired for his controlling nature.[74]
On January 14, 2002, Snyder hiredFlorida Gators coachSteve Spurrier,[70] the Redskins' fifth head coach in 10 years. They finished with a7–9 record, their first losing season in four years.[13] A bittersweet moment during the season occurred on December 29, whenDarrell Green concluded his 20th and final season as the Redskins defeated theCowboys 20–14 at FedExField. During his 20 seasons, he set an NFL record for consecutive seasons with at least one interception (19) and a Redskins team record for regular-season games played (295) and started (258).[70] The Redskins finished the2003 season with a5–11 record, their worst since1994.[13] After two mediocre years, Spurrier resigned after the 2003 season with three years left on his contract.[75]
For the2004 season, Snyder hired former coachJoe Gibbs to return as head coach and team president.[76] Gibbs' return to the franchise did not pay instant dividends as the Redskins finished the 2004 season with a record of6–10.[77] Despite an impressive defense, the team struggled offensively. QuarterbackMark Brunell—an off-season acquisition from theJacksonville Jaguars—struggled in his first season, and was replaced midway through the season by backupPatrick Ramsey. On the other hand, some of Gibbs' other new signings, such as cornerbackShawn Springs andlinebackerMarcus Washington, did very well. The Redskins also selectedSean Taylor during the first draft in Gibbs' return.[78]
The2005 season started with three wins,[79] including a win on September 19 against theDallas Cowboys. Dallas led 13–0 with less than four minutes left when Brunell threw a 39-yard (36 m) touchdown pass to Moss on a fourth-down play. Then, with 2:44 left, Brunell connected with Moss again on a 70-yard (64 m) touchdown pass andNick Novak kicked the game-winning extra point. It was the Redskins' first victory atTexas Stadium since1995.[70] They then fell into a slump, losing six of the next eight games which included three straight losses in November,[79] and their playoff chances looked bleak. On December 18, 2005, the Redskins beat Cowboys, 35–7, which marked the first time since 1995 that the Redskins swept the season series with Dallas.[70] The Redskins clinched their first playoff berth since1999.[70] The game also culminated impressive season performances by individuals. Portis set a team mark for most rushing yards in a single season with 1,516 yards (1,386 m), and Moss set a team record for most receiving yards in a single season with 1,483 yards (1,356 m), breakingBobby Mitchell's previous record set in1963.[70] Also,Chris Cooley's 71 receptions brokeJerry Smith's season record for a Redskins tight end. In the first round of theplayoffs, the Redskins met theBuccaneers.[70] The Redskins won 17–10,[9] after taking an early 14–0 lead, which they thought they lost until replay showed that a touchdown, which would have tied the game, was an incomplete pass. In that game, the Redskins broke the record for fewest offensive yards (120) gained in a playoff victory, with one of their two touchdowns being from a defensive run after a fumble recovery. The following weekend, they played theSeahawks, who defeated the Redskins 20–10,[9][70] ending their hopes of reaching their first NFC Championship Game since1991.[9]
The first major move of the 2006 off-season was the hiring ofKansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinatorAl Saunders asoffensive coordinator. Gibbs also added formerBuffalo Bills defensive coordinatorJerry Gray to his staff as secondary/cornerbacks coach and lost quarterbacks coachBill Musgrave to theFalcons. The Redskins also picked up future startersRocky McIntosh,Anthony Montgomery,Reed Doughty, andKedric Golston in the2006 NFL draft. After winning only three of the first nine games,[80] Gibbs benched quarterback Brunell for former first-round draft pickJason Campbell. After losing his first game as a starter toTampa Bay, Campbell got his first NFL victory against theCarolina Panthers, bringing the Redskins out of a three-game losing streak.[80] The highlight of the season happened on November 5, and concluded with one of the most exciting endings in the history of theCowboys–Redskins rivalry. Tied 19–19,Troy Vincent blocked a last-second field goal attempt byDallas that would have given them the win. Sean Taylor picked up the ball and ran 30 yards (27 m), breaking tackles along the way. It was thought that the game would then go in overtime, however because of a defensive 15-yard (14 m) face mask penalty, the Redskins would get an untimed down. Novak kicked a 47-yard (43 m) field goal, giving Washington a 22–19 victory.[70] However, the Redskins finished the year with a5–11 record, which resulted in them being last in theNFC East. This marked the second losing season of Joe Gibbs' second term as head coach with the Redskins, compared to the one losing season he had in his first 12-year tenure as head coach.
The Redskins began the2007 season by "winning ugly" starting the season off 2–0. The Redskins kept winning and losing close games, the only exception to this a 34–3 rout of theDetroit Lions. The Redskins continued to win ugly and lose ugly to be 5–3 at the halfway mark. However, the Redskins would begin to collapse. The team lost their next three games to fall to 5–6. On Monday, November 26, Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot by home intruders early in the morning in his Miami home. The next morning, Taylor died from severe blood loss.[81] However, the Redskins rebounded to finish 9–7 and clinch the finalplayoff spot in the NFC. Washington trailed 13–0 entering the 4th quarter to theSeattle Seahawks in the wild-card round, but rallied to take a 14–13 lead, but Redskins kickerShaun Suisham missed a field goal later in the game, and the Seahawks scored on the next drive and converted thetwo-point conversion. To close the game, Todd Collins threw two interceptions, each returned for a touchdown, and the Redskins fell 35–14.[82]
After Joe Gibbs announced his retirement following the 2007 season,Jim Zorn was hired as head coach and brought in aWest Coast Offense.[83][84] The2008 season started well, as the Redskins started the season 6–2. Furthermore, Redskins RBClinton Portis led the NFL in rushing yards.[85] However, things turned for the worse in early November, when they were routed 23–6 by thePittsburgh Steelers and Portis' injuries finally caught up to him. The Redskins continued to struggle, falling all the way to 7–7, with their only win during that six-week period being a 3-point victory of the then-2–8Seattle Seahawks. The Redskins managed to upset thePhiladelphia Eagles in Week 16, but were eliminated from playoff contention. The team's fortunes continued to slide in2009, as they finished4–12.[86] Zorn was fired and replaced byMike Shanahan after the season.[87][88]
On April 4, the Redskins acquired quarterbackDonovan McNabb in a trade from the rivalPhiladelphia Eagles.[89] However, the Redskins struggled to a6–10 finish, once again 4th place in the division.[90] The McNabb era came to an abrupt end when he was traded to Minnesota in August 2011.[91] After cutting the injury-rattled Clinton Portis, the Redskins had no important offensive players left except for Santana Moss. Mike Shanahan surprised most observers by his decision to nameJohn Beck, an obscure free-agent quarterback, as the starter.[92] However, Shanahan suddenly reversed direction by naming veteran backupRex Grossman to the starting position.[93] In Week 1, Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdown passes as the Redskins crushed the Giants 28–14, ending a six-game losing streak against that team. The Washington Redskins started the season 2–0, but then struggled to a5–11 finish, however, they managed to win both meetings over the eventualSuper Bowl championNew York Giants.[94]
In2012, the Redskins traded several high draft picks to theSt. Louis Rams in order to take Baylor quarterbackRobert Griffin III second overall in the2012 NFL draft.[95][96] Although the need for a franchise quarterback was obvious, many journalists had doubts about the value of giving up a lot for a single player. In the opening game of the season, Griffin threw for 320 yards and two touchdown passes in a 40–32 victory over theNew Orleans Saints to give the team its highest-scoring game since 2005. The Redskins struggled to a 3–6 start, but in Week 11, the Redskins would host the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Griffin would have one of the best games of his career to date, as the Redskins won 31–6 with long touchdowns to Santana Moss and Aldrick Robinson. The Redskins would win their next 6 games after that, including the crucial final game of the season against the Cowboys, which would clinch the division for and send the Redskins to the playoffs. The Redskins hosted theSeattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round but lost 24–14.[97]
Hopes were high for a repeat division title in2013. However, these hopes were in vain, as poor play and controversy stirred during the entire year, leading to a3–13 record.[98] Even though most players had a down year compared to 2012,Pierre Garçon had his greatest season statistically yet. Garcon brokeArt Monk's 29-year-old franchise record for catches in a single season. Garcon had 113 catches total, which broke Monk's 106 catches in1984 by seven.[99] The Redskins fired Shanahan and most of his staff after the season.[100]
On January 9,2014, the Redskins hiredJay Gruden as their head coach. Gruden became the eighth head coach of the team since Daniel Snyder purchased the franchise in 1999.[101] The Redskins struggled throughout the season, having three different quarterbacks start games, amounting to a4–12 record.[102] Defensive coordinatorJim Haslett was fired at the end of the season.[103]
In2015, the Redskins hiredScot McCloughan to be their general manager, withBruce Allen serving as team president.[104] In October 2015, the Redskins had their largest comeback win in franchise history, coming back to win against theTampa Bay Buccaneers 31–30 after being down 0–24 in the second quarter.[105] The Redskins clinched the NFC East division title on December 26, when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, 38–24.[106] The division title was their third since Snyder took over ownership of the team, and was the first since the1999 season to be clinched before Week 17. The Redskins hosted theGreen Bay Packers in the Wild Card round on January 10, 2016, but lost 35–18, ending their 2015 season.[107]Kirk Cousins, who took over as starting quarterback in the preseason, finished the season with career highs in touchdowns (29), yards (4,166), and completion percentage (69.8%). His completion percentage led the league, while his 29 touchdowns tied him for second on the franchise single-season list.[108]
The team's offense in2016 set several franchise records, including having over 6,000 total net yards, which was only the third time in franchise history the team had accomplished that.[109] Quarterback Kirk Cousins also set single-season team records in attempts, completions, and passing yards, breaking many of his records he had previously set in 2015.[109]DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garçon,Jamison Crowder,Robert Kelley,Chris Thompson,Jordan Reed,Vernon Davis, andMatt Jones all finished the season with at least 500 yards from scrimmage, tying the2011 New Orleans Saints for the most in a single season in NFL history.[109] Despite the numerous records set, the Redskins missed the playoffs, losing 19–10 in a "win and in" situation against the New York Giants in the final week of the season.[110] However, the Redskins still finished the season with a record of8–7–1, giving the team their first consecutive winning seasons in nearly 20 years.[111] In contrast with the record setting offense, the team's defense had a poor season, finishing 29 out of 32 teams in total defense, which led to the firing ofdefensive coordinatorJoe Barry, as well as three of his assistants.[112] In2017, Cousins had his third straight season with 4,000 passing yards while once again playing under the franchise tag.[113] For the second straight season, the Redskins missed the playoffs, finishing 7–9.[114]
During the2018 offseason, the Redskins traded for quarterbackAlex Smith to replace Kirk Cousins as he left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.[115] Despite early success starting the season 6–3, their best start since2008, the team finished the season1–6 due to injuries. In a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018, Smith suffered acompound andspiral fracture to histibia andfibula in his right leg when he was sacked byKareem Jackson andJ. J. Watt which forced him to miss the rest of the season.[116] This led toColt McCoy,Mark Sanchez, andJosh Johnson starting games in the second half of the season.[117] The team finished at7–9 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, with a league-high 25 players on injured reserve.[118][119]
Due to Smith's injury, the Redskins acquiredCase Keenum from theDenver Broncos in the2019 offseason, and draftedDwayne Haskins fromOhio State in the2019 NFL draft.[120][121] With a league worst 0–5 start to the season, tying with theCincinnati Bengals, and their worst start since2001, the Redskins fired Gruden on October 7, 2019,[122] with offensive line coachBill Callahan serving as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.[123] Gruden finished as the longest-tenured head coach in the Snyder era with six seasons, a 35–49–1 regular season record and one playoff appearance. The Redskins finished the season at3–13, with victories over theDetroit Lions andCarolina Panthers, and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.[124] The record matched their worst since2013 and was the second worst of any team that season.[125]
_(cropped).jpg)
The team underwent several changes in2020, including retiring the Redskins name and logo and hiring formerCarolina Panthers head coachRon Rivera in the same role, as well as namingJason Wright as team president, the first black person named to that position in NFL history.[126][127][128] Some notable members of Rivera's staff include formerJacksonville Jaguars andOakland Raiders head coachJack Del Rio as defensive coordinator andScott Turner, the son of former Redskins head coachNorv Turner, as offensive coordinator.[129][130]
Under Rivera and Del Rio, the team switched their defensive scheme from a3–4 defense, which the team had used under both Shanahan and Gruden's tenure, to a4–3 defense.[131] Due to their3–13 record the previous season, the team held the second overall pick in the2020 NFL draft and selectedChase Young, who would go on to be namedDefensive Rookie of the Year.[132]Dwayne Haskins, the team's first-round draft pick from 2019, was released mid-season for ineffective play and not meeting the team's off-the-field standards.[133] Washington would won the division for the first time since 2015, going 7–9 and becoming only the third team in NFL history to win a division with a losing record in a non-strike year after the2010 Seattle Seahawks and the Rivera-coached2014 Carolina Panthers.[134]
In July 2021, lawyerBeth Wilkinson concluded a year-long independent investigation into the team'sworkplace culture under ownerDaniel Snyder.[135][136] It found thatsexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation were common throughout the organization.[136] The NFL fined the team $10 million in response, and Snyder stepped down from running the team's day-to-day operations, giving those responsibilities to his wife and team CEOTanya.[136] AU.S. House Oversight Committee report later corroborated the claims and accused him of withholdingsecurity deposits from season ticket holders.[137][138]
The2021 season saw the hiring ofMartin Mayhew as general manager andMarty Hurney as another high-ranking executive.[139] With the hiring of Mayhew, Washington became the first NFL team to concurrently have a minority general manager, head coach, and president.[140] QuarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick was injured in the opening game, and backup quarterbackTaylor Heinicke would start most of the season. The team missed the playoffs with a7–10 record.
The Football Team rebranded as the Commanders in2022 with new logos and uniforms.[141][142] The team traded for Colts quarterbackCarson Wentz in the offseason, but benched him for Heinicke. Neither would be retained after the season.[143] The team finished8–8–1, the first team since 2008 to finish last in the division with a non-losing record.[144] The season was the last under Snyder's ownership.
In November 2022, Snyder hiredBofA Securities after mounting pressure from other NFL owners to sell the team to explore possible transactions.[145][146][147] In May 2023, he reached an agreement to sell the franchise to a group headed byJosh Harris, co-founder ofApollo Global Management and owner of the NBA'sPhiladelphia 76ers and NHL'sNew Jersey Devils, for $6.05 billion.[148] Key limited partners includeDanaher andGlenstone founderMitchell Rales, Hall of Fame basketball playerMagic Johnson, and venture capitalistMark Ein.[149][150] The sale, the highest price ever paid for a sports team at the time, was approved by the NFL on July 20, 2023.[151][152] By 2024, the team had invested $75 million in improving the infrastructure and game experience ofNorthwest Stadium, including improved food options and renovations to the sound system and suites.[153]
The Commanders finished the2023 season with a4–13 record, allowing the most points and having the worst point differential in the league.[154] Second-year quarterbackSam Howell, who started all 17 games, also led the league in sacks allowed (65) and interceptions thrown (21).[155] It was their seventh straight non-winning season and third straight being eliminated from the playoffs, with the team also going winless in the division for the first time since2019. Head coachRon Rivera and his staff were fired following the season's conclusion. The2024 season saw the hiring ofAdam Peters as general manager and former Falcons coachDan Quinn as head coach.[156][157] The front office and roster saw several changes under Peters, including signing around 30free agents and selecting 2023Heisman quarterbackJayden Daniels second overall in the2024 NFL draft.[158][159][160] Led by Daniels, the 2024Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Commanders went12–5, won a playoff game for the first time since2005, and made theNFC Championship Game for the first time since1991.
In April 2025, the Commanders and the D.C. government announced a $3.7 billionstadium and mixed-use campus project to be built on the former site ofRFK Stadium for a targeted opening of 2030.[161][162]
The franchise's primary colors are burgundy and gold.[163][164][165] From 1961 through 1978, Washington wore gold pants with both the burgundy and white jerseys, although details of the jerseys and pants changed a few times during this period. Gold face masks were introduced in 1978 and remain as such to this day; previous to that they were grey. Throughout most of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Washington was just one of three other teams that primarily wore their white jerseys at home (the others being theDallas Cowboys andMiami Dolphins). The tradition of wearing white jerseys over burgundy pants at home, which is considered the "classic" look, was started byJoe Gibbs when he took over as coach in 1981. Gibbs was an assistant for theSan Diego Chargers in 1979 and 1980 when the team wore white at home under head coachDon Coryell.
Their burgundy jerseys were primarily used only when the opposing team decided to wear white at home, which came mostly against the Dallas Cowboys and was normally worn over white pants. It was worn on the road against other teams that prefer to wear white at home for games occurring early in the season. From 1981 through 2000, Washington wore their white jerseys over burgundy pants at home almost exclusively. In 1994, as part of a league-wide celebration of the NFL's 75th anniversary, during certain games, the team wore special uniforms which emulated the uniforms worn by the team in its inaugural season in Washington in 1937. Both worn over gold pants, the burgundy jerseys featured gold numbers bordered in white and the white jerseys featured burgundy numbers bordered in gold. The most distinctive feature of both colors of the jersey was the patches worn on both sleeves, which were a reproduction of the patches worn on the full-length sleeves of the 1937 jerseys. Worn with these uniforms was a plain burgundy helmet with a gold facemask.
In 2001, the team wore burgundy for all home games in the preseason and regular season per a decision by Marty Schottenheimer, their coach for that year. In 2002, the team celebrated the passing of 70 years since its creation as the Boston Braves in 1932 and wore a special home uniform, a burgundy jersey over gold pants, which roughly resembled the home uniforms used from 1969 to 1978. The helmets used with this special home uniform during that year were a reproduction of the helmets used by the team from 1965 to 1969, though they wore white at home in Week 1 against theArizona Cardinals and again in Week 17, the latter forcing the Cowboys to use their blue jerseys.[166][167] This special home uniform was also worn during one game in 2003. In 2004, when Gibbs became the coach of the team once again, the team switched back to wearing white jerseys at home; in Gibbs's 16 years as head coach, the team never wore burgundy jerseys at home, even wearing a white throwback jersey in 2007.
Their white jerseys have provided three basic color combinations. The last combination consists of both white jerseys and pants. That particular combination surfaced in the first game of the 2003 season when the team was coached by Steve Spurrier, during a nationally televised game against theNew York Jets, which led many sports fans and Redskins faithful alike to point out that they had never seen that particular combination before. The Redskins won six straight games, including one in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wearing that combination. In the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the eventual 2005 NFC ChampionSeattle Seahawks, Washington wore the all-white uniforms in hopes that they could keep their streak going; however, they lost 20–10. The white jersey over burgundy pants look reappeared in a home game against theCarolina Panthers later in 2006.
In celebration of the franchise's 75th anniversary, Washington wore a one-timethrowback uniform for a home game against theNew York Giants, based on their away uniform from 1970 to 1971. Players wore a white jersey with three burgundy and two gold stripes on each sleeve and the 75th-anniversary logo on the left chest. The pants were gold, with one white stripe bordered by a burgundy stripe on each side, running down each side. The helmet was gold-colored with a burgundy "R" logo. The helmet and uniform styles were the same as the ones the franchise used during the 1970–71 seasons.Vince Lombardi, who coached Washington in 1969 before dying during the 1970 preseason, was the inspiration behind the helmet. Lombardi pushed for the logo, which sat inside a white circle enclosed within a burgundy circle border, with Native American feathers hanging down from the side because of its similarity to the "G" on the helmets worn by theGreen Bay Packers, who he had coached during most of the 1960s.
In a 2008Monday Night Football game against thePittsburgh Steelers, Washington wore amonochrome look by wearing burgundy jerseys over burgundy pants.[168] This combination made two further appearances the following season against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. The Redskins, starting in 2010, began to wear the burgundy jersey paired with the gold pants reminiscent of the George Allen era.[169][170] Against theTennessee Titans later that season, the team matched the gold pants with the usual white jerseys for the first time. Washington wore the same combination against the Giants on the road two weeks later.
In 2011, the Redskins wore the burgundy jersey and gold pants for five home games and a road game at Dallas, the burgundy jersey with white pants for three home games and a road game at Miami, the white jersey and burgundy pants for five road games, and the white jersey and gold pants for aBills game in Toronto. The following year, the team wore an updated throwback uniform of the 1937 championship team that featured a helmet pattern based on the logo-less leather helmets worn at the time, in a game against the Carolina Panthers.[171][172] In 2013, a newly implemented NFL rule stated that teams could not wear alternate helmets (thus limiting them to one helmet) on account of player safety. As a result, Washington wore its 1937 throwbacks with the logo removed from the regular helmet in a game versus theSan Diego Chargers.[173] That year, the Redskins removed the burgundy collar from their white jerseys in order to have better consistency with the newNike uniforms that had debuted the previous season.[174]
Between 2014 and 2016, the team wore the gold pants with their standard uniforms, although the burgundy pants returned as part of the team's away uniform later in 2016.[175] In 2017, Washington resurrected the all-burgundy ensemble as part of theNFL Color Rush. Nike initially provided an all-gold uniform but team officials called it "garish" and refused to wear it.[176] In 2018, Washington replaced the gold pants with white for the majority of their home games.
During their two season as the Washington Football Team in 2020 and 2021, their logo was a simple "W" with the helmets having player numbers.[177] The Commanders rebranding included new logos and uniforms featuring military-inspired motifs. The primary home uniform remained burgundy with gold and white stripes with the letters having a gold base. The team name is placed atop the numbers in front, which were also gold and trimmed in white. The road white uniform features burgundy and white gradient numbers with black trim, along with burgundy and white gradient and black sleeve stripes. Both sets are paired with either burgundy or white pants. The alternate black uniform features the team name on the left chest in gold, and numbers have a gold base with burgundy trim. Black pants are paired with this uniform with an alternate black helmet having with the "W" logo in front and uniform numbers on each side.[164][178] A pig mascot,Major Tuddy, was also unveiled near the end of the season.[179] In 2024, gold pants returned to the uniform rotation for the first time since 2018.[180] The standard uniform combination from then on was burgundy-on-gold at home and white-on-burgundy on the road with burgundy socks.
The Commanders unveiled alternate throwback uniforms in 2025 based on the set worn during the 1980s, featuring white jerseys and burgundy pants. The helmet was emblazoned with the team's Golden W in place of the Redskins logo.[181]
The team's formerRedskins branding, used from 1933 until 2020, was one of the leading examples of theNative American mascot controversy. Various people and groups, such as theNational Congress of American Indians (NCAI), considered the name a racial slur and attempted to get the team to change it for decades.[182][183] In a 2013 letter, Snyder stated that while respecting those that say they were offended, a poll conducted by theAnnenberg Public Policy Center in 2004 found that 90% of Native Americans were not.[184][185] This poll was essentially replicated in 2016 byThe Washington Post. Social scientists from theUniversity of Michigan andUniversity of California at Berkeley performed a study in 2020 that measured Native American opinion in detail, finding that 49% had responded that the name was offensive, with the level of offense increasing to 67% for those with a stronger involvement in Native American culture.[186] When the franchise was undergoing atrademark dispute in 2014, theWashington Post announced their editorials would no longer use the "Redskins" name.[187][188] ESPN updated their employee work policies to allow their reporters to choose how to refer to the team going forward.[189][190][191] Some argued the name was too racially charged, while most people believed the branding advocated for and put into honor the bravery and warrior spirit associated with Native American culture.[citation needed]
Following aperiod of racial unrest triggered by themurder of George Floyd and subsequentprotests in 2020, a letter signed by 87 shareholders and investors was sent to team and league sponsorsNike,FedEx, andPepsiCo urging them to cut their ties unless the name was changed.[192][193][194] Around the same time, several retail companies began removing Redskins merchandise from their stores.[195][196] In response, the team underwent a review in July 2020 and announced that it would play as the Washington Football Team after retiring its name and logo in wake of theGeorge Floyd protests.[197][198]
The team rebranded as the Commanders, featuring new logos and uniforms, in 2022.[163][164] In 2023, theNative American Guardians Association (NAGA) launched a petition to return to the Redskins branding; NAGA later attempted to sue the Commanders for defamation after team management claimed NAGA to be a "fake" association.[199][200] In 2024,U.S. Senator from MontanaSteve Daines advocated for the NFL to honorBlackfeet Nation member Blackie Wetzel in recognition of his role in designing the team's former logo depicting a Native American chief based onJohn Two Guns White Calf, the last chief of the Blackfeet. While Daines sought to honor the legacy without calling for the return of the Redskins branding, some viewed the gesture as insufficient compared to addressing more pressing community needs.[201] The Wetzel family stated their desire to regain the rights to the logo to use it to raise awareness about social issues on reservations.[202] In November 2024, theU.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted 17–2 to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site to the District of Columbia. The bill's approval came after negotiations between the team, NFL, and Daines to potentially restore the Redskins logo, with portions of merchandise proceeds going to Native American causes.[203][204] In July 2025, U.S. presidentDonald Trump suggested he would block a deal forNew Commanders Stadium to be built in Washington, D.C. if the team did not return to the Redskins branding.[205][206][207]
The Commanders' rivalry with theDallas Cowboys features two teams that have won 31 combined division titles and 10 championships, including eight combinedSuper Bowls.[208] The rivalry started in 1960 when the Cowboys joined the league as anexpansion team.[209] During that year they were in separate conferences, but played once during the season. In 1961, Dallas was placed in the same division as the Redskins, and from that point on, they have played each other twice during everyregular season.
Texas oil tycoonClint Murchison Jr. was having a difficult time bringing an NFL team toDallas. In 1958, Murchison heard thatGeorge Preston Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, was eager to sell the team. Just as the sale was about to be finalized, Marshall called for a change in terms. Murchison was outraged and canceled the whole deal.[210] Around this time, Marshall had a falling out with the Redskin band director, Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin had written the music for the team'sfight song, now known as "Hail to the Commanders", which gets played by theWashington Commanders Marching Band after every touchdown at home games.[210] He wanted revenge after the failed negotiations with Marshall. He approached Tom Webb, Murchison's lawyer, and sold the rights for $2,500 (equivalent to $26,600 in 2024).[210] Murchison then decided to create his own team, with the support of NFL expansion committee chairman,George Halas. Halas decided to put the proposition of a Dallas franchise before the NFL owners, which needed to have unanimous approval in order to pass. The only owner against the proposal was George Preston Marshall. However, Marshall found out that Murchison owned the rights to Washington's fight song, so a deal was finally struck. If Marshall showed his approval of the Dallas franchise, Murchison would return the song. The Cowboys were then founded and began playing in 1960.[210] At the time in 2016, a matchup between the teams on Thanksgiving was the most-watched regular-season game broadcast by theNFL on Fox.[211] The Cowboys lead the series78–48–2.[212]
The Commanders' rivalry with thePhiladelphia Eagles began in 1934. Washington leads the series90–87–6.[213]
The Commanders' rivalry with theNew York Giants began in 1932. The Giants lead the all-time series108–73–5.[214]
The Commanders have a minor geographic rivalry with theBaltimore Ravens, who play about 40 miles away. The teams play each other annually during the preseason, but rarely during the regular season because they are in different conferences.[215][216][217] The Ravens lead the all-time series5–3.[218] After theBaltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984, the Washington team's then-owner,Jack Kent Cooke, worked to prevent a new team from settling in the Maryland city. After the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996, Cooke put the Redskins' then-new stadium in Landover, Maryland.[219][220][221]
| Number | Player | Position | Tenure | Retired in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Sonny Jurgensen | QB | 1964–1974 | 2023 |
| 21 | Sean Taylor | FS | 2004–2007 | 2021 |
| 28 | Darrell Green | CB | 1983–2002 | 2024 |
| 33 | Sammy Baugh | QB /S /P | 1937–1952 | 1953 |
| 49 | Bobby Mitchell | HB /WR | 1962–1968 | 2020 |
| 81 | Art Monk | WR | 1980–1993 | 2025 |
Some numbers are unofficially retired and are withheld from being selected by other players.
The use of unofficial retired numbers drew controversy duringSteve Spurrier's first year as head coach in 2002.[222] QuarterbacksDanny Wuerffel andShane Matthews first wore 7 and 9 respectively during training camp. The resulting controversy led to them switching to 17 and 6.[222] QuarterbackDwayne Haskins, the team's first-round draft selection in 2019, wore number 7 with permission from Theismann for his two-year tenure with the team.[223]
Names inbold indicate induction primarily based on accomplishments with Washington.
| Player | Positions | Seasons | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonny Jurgensen | Quarterback | 1964–1974 | 1983 |
| Cliff Battles | Running back /cornerback | 1932–1937 | 1968 |
| Paul Krause | Safety | 1964–1967 | 1998 |
| Ken Houston | Safety | 1973–1980 | 1986 |
| Sammy Baugh | Quarterback /safety /punter | 1937–1952 | 1963 |
| Wayne Millner | Tight end /defensive end | 1936–1941 | 1968 |
| John Riggins | Running back | 1976–1985 | 1992 |
| Chris Hanburger | Linebacker | 1965–1978 | 2011 |
| Sam Huff | Linebacker | 1964–1969 | 1982 |
| Art Monk | Wide receiver | 1980–1993 | 2008 |
| Dick Stanfel | Offensive guard | 1956–1958 | 2016 |
| Champ Bailey | Cornerback | 1999–2003 | 2019 |
| Turk Edwards | Offensive tackle /defensive tackle | 1932–1940 | 1969 |
| Darrell Green | Cornerback | 1983–2002 | 2008 |
| Bill Dudley | Running back /cornerback | 1950–1953 | 1966 |
| Charley Taylor | Wide receiver | 1964–1977 | 1984 |
| Bobby Mitchell | Running back /wide receiver | 1962–1968 | 1983 |
| Russ Grimm | Offensive guard | 1981–1991 | 2010 |
| Bruce Smith | Defensive end | 2000–2003 | 2009 |
| Name | Position | Seasons | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Allen | Head coach | 1971–1977 | 2002 |
| Joe Gibbs | Head coach | 1981–1992 2004–2007 | 1996 |
| Vince Lombardi | Head coach | 1969 | 1971 |
| Bobby Beathard | General manager | 1978–1989 | 2018 |
| Ray Flaherty | Head coach | 1936–1942 | 1976 |
| Curly Lambeau | Head coach | 1952–1953 | 1963 |
| George Preston Marshall | Founder / owner | 1932–1969 | 1963 |
When the team leftRFK Stadium in 1996, they left behind the signs commemorating the Washington Hall of Stars. The team began a new tradition of honoring Redskins greats via the "Ring of Fame", a set of signs on the upper-level facade at Northwest Stadium. Team founderGeorge Preston Marshall was removed in 2020, the only member to lose his place in the ring.[224][225]
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | George Allen | Head coach | 1971–1977 |
| 41 | Mike Bass | CB | 1969–1975[226] |
| 20 | Cliff Battles | RB | 1932–1937 |
| 33 | Sammy Baugh | QB | 1937–1952 |
| — | Bobby Beathard | General manager | 1978–1988 |
| 53 | Jeff Bostic | C | 1980–1993 |
| 80 | Gene Brito | DE | 1951–1953 1955–1958 |
| 43 | Larry Brown | RB | 1969–1976 |
| 65 | Dave Butz | DT | 1975–1988 |
| 84 | Gary Clark | WR | 1985–1992 |
| 51 | Monte Coleman | LB | 1979–1994 |
| — | Jack Kent Cooke | Owner / chairman | 1961–1997 |
| 35 | Bill Dudley | RB | 1950–1951, 1953 |
| — | Wayne Curry | Prince George's County executive | 1994–2002 |
| 37 | Pat Fischer | CB | 1968–1977 |
| 59 | London Fletcher | LB | 2007–2013 |
| — | Joe Gibbs | Head coach | 1981–1992 2004–2007 |
| 28 | Darrell Green | CB | 1983–2002 |
| 68 | Russ Grimm | G | 1981–1991 |
| 55 | Chris Hanburger | LB | 1965–1978 |
| 57 | Ken Harvey | LB | 1994–1998 |
| 56 | Len Hauss | C | 1964–1977 |
| — | Phil Hochberg | PA announcer | 1963–2000 |
| 27 | Ken Houston | S | 1973–1980 |
| 70 | Sam Huff | LB | 1964–1967, 1969 |
| 66 | Joe Jacoby | OT | 1981–1993 |
| 47 | Dick James | RB | 1956–1963 |
| 9 | Sonny Jurgensen | QB | 1964–1974 |
| 22 | Charlie Justice | RB | 1950, 1952–1954 |
| 17 | Billy Kilmer | QB | 1971–1978 |
| 14 | Eddie LeBaron | QB | 1952–1953 1955–1959 |
| — | Vince Lombardi | Head coach | 1969 |
| 72 | Dexter Manley | DE | 1981–1989 |
| 71 | Charles Mann | DE | 1983–1993 |
| 40 | Wayne Millner | E | 1936–1941, 1945 |
| 49 | Bobby Mitchell | HB / executive | 1962–2002 |
| 30 | Brian Mitchell | RB /RS | 1990–1999 |
| 81 | Art Monk | WR | 1980–1993 |
| 3 | Mark Moseley | K | 1974–1986 |
| 89 | Santana Moss | WR | 2005–2014 |
| 23 | Brig Owens | CB | 1966–1977 |
| 16 | Richie Petitbon | S / coach | 1971–1972 1978–1993 |
| 65 | Vince Promuto | G | 1960–1970 |
| 44 | John Riggins | RB | 1976–1979 1981–1985 |
| 11 | Mark Rypien | QB | 1986–1993 |
| 60 | Chris Samuels | T | 2000–2009 |
| 87 | Jerry Smith | TE | 1965–1977 |
| 42 | Charley Taylor | WR | 1964–1977 |
| 21 | Sean Taylor | S | 2004–2007 |
| 7 | Joe Theismann | QB | 1974–1985 |
| — | Bubba Tyer | Athletic trainer | 1971–2002 2004–2008 |
| 17 | Doug Williams | QB | 1986–1989 |
For the Redskins' 70th anniversary in 2002, a panel selected the "70 Greatest Redskins", player and coaches who were honored in a weekend of festivities, including a halftime ceremony during a Redskins' game against theIndianapolis Colts.[227][228] In 2012, ten players and personnel were added to the list for the team's 80th anniversary.[229] In 2022, ten more were added for the franchise's 90th anniversary.[230]
The panel that chose the 70 consisted of former news anchorBernard Shaw; former playerBobby Mitchell; SenatorGeorge Allen (son of coachGeorge Allen); broadcasterKen Beatrice; Noel Epstein, editor for theWashington Post; former diplomatJoseph J. Sisco; Phil Hochberg, who retired in 2001 after 38 years as team stadium announcer; Pro Football Hall of Fame historian Joe Horrigan; sportscasterGeorge Michael; sports directorAndy Pollin; NFL Films presidentSteven Sabol; and news anchorJim Vance.[227]
The list includes three head coaches and 67 players, of which 41 were offensive players, 23 defensive players, and three special teams players.[227] Among the 70 Greatest, there are 92Super Bowl appearances, with 47 going once and 45 playing in more than one. 29 members possess one Super Bowl ring and 26 have more than one. Also, before the Super Bowl, members of the 70 made 18 World Championship appearances including six that participated in the Redskins' NFL Championship victories in 1937 and 1942.[227]Bold indicates people elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Terry Allen | RB | 1995–1998 |
| 56 | LaVar Arrington | LB | 2000–2005 |
| 24 | Champ Bailey | CB | 1999–2003 |
| 41 | Mike Bass | CB | 1969–1975 |
| 20 | Cliff Battles | B | 1932–1937 |
| 33 | Sammy Baugh | QB | 1937–1952 |
| 31 | Don Bosseler | FB | 1957–1964 |
| 53 | Jeff Bostic | C | 1980–1993 |
| 4 | Mike Bragg | P | 1968–1979 |
| 80 | Gene Brito | DE | 1951–1953 1955–1958 |
| 43 | Larry Brown | RB | 1969–1976 |
| 77 | Bill Brundige | DE | 1970–1977 |
| 65 | Dave Butz | DT | 1975–1988 |
| 21 | Earnest Byner | RB | 1989–1993 |
| 84 | Gary Clark | WR | 1985–1992 |
| 51 | Monte Coleman | LB | 1979–1994 |
| 47 | Chris Cooley | TE | 2004–2012 |
| 48 | Stephen Davis | RB | 1996–2002 |
| 53 | Al DeMao | C | 1945–1953 |
| 36 | Chuck Drazenovich | LB | 1950–1959 |
| 35 | Bill Dudley | RB | 1950–1951, 1953 |
| 17 | Turk Edwards | OT | 1932–1940 |
| 44 | Andy Farkas | FB | 1938–1944 |
| 37 | Pat Fischer | CB | 1968–1977 |
| 59 | London Fletcher | LB | 2007–2013 |
| 77 | Darryl Grant | DT | 1981–1990 |
| 28 | Darrell Green | CB | 1983–2002 |
| 68 | Russ Grimm | G | 1981–1991 |
| 23 | DeAngelo Hall | CB | 2008–2017 |
| 55 | Chris Hanburger | LB | 1965–1978 |
| 57 | Ken Harvey | LB | 1994–1998 |
| 56 | Len Hauss | C | 1964–1977 |
| 75 | Terry Hermeling | OT | 1970–1980 |
| 27 | Ken Houston | S | 1973–1980 |
| 70 | Sam Huff | LB | 1964–1967, 1969 |
| 66 | Joe Jacoby | OT/G | 1981–1993 |
| 47 | Dick James | RB | 1955–1963 |
| 76 | Jon Jansen | OT | 1999–2008 |
| 80 | Roy Jefferson | WR | 1971–1976 |
| 9 | Sonny Jurgensen | QB | 1964–1974 |
| 22 | Charlie Justice | RB | 1950, 1952–1954 |
| 91 | Ryan Kerrigan | LB/DE | 2011–2020 |
| 17 | Billy Kilmer | QB | 1971–1978 |
| 26 | Paul Krause | S | 1964–1967 |
| 79 | Jim Lachey | OT | 1988–1995 |
| 14 | Eddie LeBaron | QB | 1952–1953 1955–1959 |
| 72 | Dexter Manley | DE | 1981–1989 |
| 71 | Charles Mann | DE | 1983–1993 |
| 58 | Wilber Marshall | LB | 1988–1992 |
| 73 | Mark May | OT | 1981–1989 |
| 79 | Ron McDole | DE | 1971–1978 |
| 63 | Raleigh McKenzie | G | 1985–1994 |
| 53 | Harold McLinton | LB | 1969–1978 |
| 40 | Wayne Millner | E/DE | 1936–1941, 1945 |
| 49 | Bobby Mitchell | FL | 1962–1968 |
| 30 | Brian Mitchell | RB/RS | 1990–1999 |
| 81 | Art Monk | WR | 1980–1993 |
| 3 | Mark Moseley | K | 1974–1986 |
| 89 | Santana Moss | WR | 2005–2014 |
| 29 | Mark Murphy | S | 1977–1984 |
| 21 | Mike Nelms | KR | 1980–1984 |
| 52 | Neal Olkewicz | LB | 1979–1989 |
| 23 | Brig Owens | DB | 1966–1977 |
| 26 | Clinton Portis | RB | 2004–2010 |
| 65 | Vince Promuto | G | 1960–1970 |
| 44 | John Riggins | RB | 1976–1979 1981–1985 |
| 11 | Mark Rypien | QB | 1987–1993 |
| 83 | Ricky Sanders | WR | 1986–1993 |
| 60 | Chris Samuels | OT | 2000–2009 |
| 76 | Ed Simmons | OT | 1987–1997 |
| 87 | Jerry Smith | TE | 1965–1977 |
| 60 | Dick Stanfel | G | 1956–1958 |
| 74 | George Starke | OT | 1973–1984 |
| 72 | Diron Talbert | DT | 1971–1980 |
| 42 | Charley Taylor | WR | 1964–1977 |
| 84 | Hugh Taylor | WR | 1947–1954 |
| 21 | Sean Taylor | S | 2004–2007 |
| 7 | Joe Theismann | QB | 1974–1985 |
| 67 | Rusty Tillman | LB | 1970–1977 |
| 85 | Don Warren | TE | 1979–1992 |
| 25 | Joe Washington | RB | 1981–1984 |
| 17 | Doug Williams | QB | 1986–1989 |
| 71 | Trent Williams | OT | 2010–2019 |
| — | George Allen | Head coach | 1971–1977 |
| — | Bobby Beathard | General manager | 1978–1989 |
| — | Joe Bugel | OL coach | 1981–1989 2004–2009 |
| — | Ray Flaherty | Head coach | 1936–1942 |
| — | Joe Gibbs | Head coach | 1981–1992 2004–2007 |
| — | Larry Peccatiello | Defensive coordinator | 1981–1993 |
| — | Richie Petitbon | Defensive coordinator | 1978–1992 |
| Season | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Larry Brown | RB |
| 1982 | Mark Moseley | K |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | QB |
| Season | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Larry Brown | RB |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | QB |
| Season | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Mike Thomas | RB |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III | QB |
| 2024 | Jayden Daniels | QB |
| Season | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chase Young | DE |
| Season | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Alex Smith | QB |
| Season | Coach |
|---|---|
| 1971 | George Allen |
| 1979 | Jack Pardee |
| 1982 | Joe Gibbs |
| 1983 |
| Super Bowl | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| XVII | John Riggins | RB |
| XXII | Doug Williams | QB |
| XXVI | Mark Rypien | QB |
| Owner | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1932–1965 | Founded the team in1932 as the Boston Braves, and renamed it the Redskins the following year. Moved the franchise to Washington, D.C., in1937. Last owner in the NFL to integrate black players, refusing to do so until 1962 amid pressure from the U.S. government. Suffered various health ailments by the early 1960s, granting a conservatorship to board members Charles Leo DeOrsey,Edward Bennett Williams, and Milton King in1963. OversawNFL Championships in 1937 and1942. | |
| 1965–1979 | Appointed by Marshall in1965 to manage the team in his stead. Acquired Marshall's shares in the franchise following his death in 1969. Served as team president from1966 to1984. Oversaw anNFC Championship in1972. | |
| 1979–1997 | A minority shareholder since 1961 and vice president since 1965, Cooke purchased majority interest from Williams in1974 and replaced him as controlling owner in1979. Led the construction of Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, nowNorthwest Stadium, which opened in 1997. OversawSuper Bowl wins in1982,1987, and1991. Died in 1997. | |
| John Kent Cooke | 1997–1999 | Cooke, the son of Jack, operated the franchise following his father's death. He had previously been the team's executive vice president since 1981. |
| 1999–2023 | Acquired the team from Cooke's estate in1999 for $800 million. Considered to be one of the worst owners in the history of professional sports, a 2022United States Congress report found Snyder fostered a workplace rife with sexual misconduct and bullying and was liable for financial improprieties such as withholding security deposits from season ticket holders and paying hush money to accusers. Opposed calls to change thecontroversial Redskins branding until 2020 amid growing pressure from sponsors, with the franchise playing as the Washington Football Team before its renaming as the Commanders in2022. Was represented by his wifeTanya at NFL events after he was indefinitely suspended by the league in 2021. | |
| 2023–present | Acquired the team from Snyder in2023 for $6.05 billion. Managing partner of a group that includesDanaher andGlenstone founderMitchell Rales, Hall of Fame basketball playerMagic Johnson, and venture capitalistMark Ein as limited partners. Other minority partners include business partnerDavid Blitzer and investorsLee Ainslie, Eric Holoman, Michael Li,Marc Lipschultz, Mitchell Morgan,Doug Ostrover, theSanto Domingo Group,Michael Sapir,Eric Schmidt, andAndy Snyder. |
|
| |||||
.jpg)
TheCommand Force is the team's professional dance and performance group. They were formed in 1962 as acheerleading squad called theRedskinettes,[231] then renamed the Command Force upon the team's rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.[232] As cheerleaders, they were sometimes referred to as theFirst Ladies of Football.
Single-game
Season
Career
Offense
Defense
Special teams
The Commanders'flagship station isBig 100 (WBIG-FM), which acquired the rights in 2022 as part of an agreement withiHeartMedia.[277]Frank Herzog served the team's leadplay-by-play announcer from 1979 until 2004, when he was replaced by Larry Michael.[278] Herzog was joined from 1981 by former RedskinsSonny Jurgensen andSam Huff.[279][280][281] Michael retired in 2020 and was replaced byBram Weinstein.[282][283] Weinstein is joined by color commentators and former playersLondon Fletcher andLogan Paulsen.Julie Donaldson served as host from 2020 to 2023 and was the first woman to be an on-air broadcaster for an NFL team.[284][285]
WMAL served as the team's flagship station from 1942 to 1956 and from 1963 through 1991.[279][281] From 1992 to 1994,WTEM—which had become DC's first all-sports radio station—became the Redskins' flagship station after which they moved toWJFK-FM.[281][286] In 2006, after WJFK andCBS Radio declined to renew its rights to the team, the Redskins moved toWWXT,WWXX, andWXTR. The stations had recently been bought byRed Zebra Broadcasting—a group co-owned by Snyder—and had become a sports radiotrimulcast known as "Triple XESPN Radio".[287] Red Zebra Broadcasting would eventually acquire WTEM in 2008, making it the originating station of the simulcast.[288][281]
In 2017,Cumulus Media reached an agreement to carry the team's radio broadcasts on WMAL, marking its return to the station for the first time since 1991. As part of the agreement, WTEM remained the team's official flagship.[281] In 2018, WTEM was sold toUrban One, but maintained its rights to the team.[289][290] In June 2019, WMAL flipped to sports radio itself asWSBN, taking over the local ESPN Radio affiliation from WTEM; WMAL's previousconservative talk format moved exclusively to itsFM simulcast station.[291][292]
Telecasts of preseason games were previously carried byNBC Sports Washington in theMid-Atlantic region. SisterNBC owned-and-operated stationWRC-TV was the team's "official" broadcast television station, simulcasting the preseason games and airing other team-produced programs during the season.[293][294] With the sale of NBC Sports Washington byNBCUniversal toWashington Capitals andWashington Wizards ownerTed Leonsis, the network declined to renew its rights to the team.[293] Most regular season Commanders games are carried byNFL on Fox. In June 2024, the team andWUSA announced a partnership to broadcast the team's preseason games as well as some original content.[295]
Between 1932 and 2008, for 19 of 20United States presidential elections, a win for the Redskins in their last home game prior toElection Day coincided with the incumbent party winning re-election. The exception was in 2004, whenRepublican incumbentGeorge W. Bush won re-election despite theGreen Bay Packers beating the Redskins.[296] The trend subsequently came to an end when in 2012,Democratic incumbentBarack Obama won re-election despite the Redskins losing to theCarolina Panthers. It has since been wrong for the elections in 2016, 2020, and 2024.[297][298]
William 'Lone Star' Dietz, a part-blooded Native American
Harris has 20 limited partners in his group, including Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, Eric Schmidt and Mark Ein, the most in the NFL.
His six touchdown passes tie Baugh for another team record; Baugh did it twice, in a 1943 game and one day in 1947.
In Washington's first game with replacement players, the Redskins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 28–21, as wide receiver Anthony Allen finished the day with seven catches and a single-game franchise record 255 yards.
| |
| Affiliations |
|
| Franchise | |
| Stadiums | |
| Key personnel |
|
| Culture and lore | |
| Rivalries | |
| Retired numbers | |
| Hall of Famers | |
| League championships (5) | |
| Division championships (15) | |
| Wild Card playoff berths (10) | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
.jpg)
_(cropped2).jpg)
