What Happened to Washington Commanders?
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team that underwent a significant transformation, including a controversial name change from the Redskins to the Football Team, and then to the Commanders, amidst a period of racial reckoning and workplace misconduct allegations. The team was sold in 2023 for a record $6.05 billion to a group led by Josh Harris, ushering in a new era focused on rebuilding the franchise, improving team performance, and developing a new state-of-the-art stadium in Washington D.C.
Quick Answer
The Washington Commanders, formerly the Redskins and then the Washington Football Team, were officially rebranded in 2022. The franchise was sold in July 2023 to a group led by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion, ending Dan Snyder's controversial ownership. Under new leadership, the team experienced a significant turnaround in the 2024 season, reaching the NFC Championship, but regressed in 2025. As of April 2026, the Commanders have finalized their 2026 coaching staff, are preparing for the NFL Draft, and are moving forward with plans for a new domed stadium in Washington D.C., with new uniforms set to be unveiled today, April 15, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Franchise Founded as Boston Braves
The professional American football franchise was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, as the Boston Braves.
Name Changed to Boston Redskins
The team's name was changed from the Boston Braves to the Boston Redskins to avoid confusion with Boston's National League baseball team.
Relocation to Washington D.C.
Unhappy with fan support in Boston, owner George Preston Marshall moved the team to Washington D.C., retaining the 'Redskins' name.
Dan Snyder Purchases the Team
Daniel Snyder purchased the Washington Redskins from the estate of Jack Kent Cooke for $800 million, marking the beginning of his controversial 24-year ownership.
Redskins Name Retired Amidst Pressure
Amidst a national racial reckoning and pressure from corporate sponsors, the team announced it would retire the 'Redskins' name after 87 years.
Temporary Rebrand to Washington Football Team
Following the retirement of the 'Redskins' name, the team adopted the temporary moniker 'Washington Football Team' for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Official Rebrand to Washington Commanders
After an 18-month rebranding process, the franchise officially unveiled its new name and logo as the Washington Commanders.
NFL Owners Approve Sale to Josh Harris Group
NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan and Tanya Snyder to a partnership led by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion.
Significant On-Field Turnaround
Under new ownership and coaching staff, the Commanders achieved a remarkable 12-5 record and made a surprising run to the NFC Championship game.
Disappointing 5-12 Record
The team regressed significantly in the 2025 season, finishing with a 5-12 record, largely due to injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and defensive struggles.
Initial Renderings of New Stadium Unveiled
The Washington Commanders and HKS unveiled the first conceptual renderings of the team's new world-class, domed stadium planned for the former RFK Stadium site in Washington D.C.
2026 Coaching Staff Finalized
The Commanders officially announced a number of new coaching staff additions, promotions, and title changes, finalizing their staff for the upcoming 2026 season under Head Coach Dan Quinn.
New Stadium Plans Presented to NCPC
Preliminary site and building plans for the new 65,000-seat domed stadium were presented to the National Capital Planning Commission for approval.
New Uniforms Unveiling
The Washington Commanders are set to unveil new uniforms, featuring a modern twist with classic elements, just ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Washington Commanders franchise has a long and storied history, but the early 2020s marked a period of profound change and upheaval. For decades, the team operated under the 'Redskins' moniker, a name that increasingly drew criticism for its derogatory connotations towards Native Americans. Despite persistent calls for a change, former owner Dan Snyder steadfastly resisted. However, in July 2020, amidst a national reckoning on racial justice and significant pressure from corporate sponsors like FedEx, PepsiCo, and Nike, the team announced it would retire the 'Redskins' name.
Following a temporary stint as the 'Washington Football Team' for two seasons, the franchise officially rebranded as the 'Washington Commanders' on February 2, 2022. This period also coincided with multiple investigations into the team's workplace culture, including allegations of sexual harassment and financial improprieties under Snyder's ownership. These controversies, coupled with a lack of on-field success, led to immense pressure on Snyder to sell the team.
A pivotal turning point occurred in April 2023 when Dan Snyder agreed to sell the team for a record $6.05 billion to a group led by Maryland billionaire Josh Harris, which included NBA legend Magic Johnson and Mitchell Rales. The sale was unanimously approved by NFL owners in July 2023, officially ending Snyder's controversial 24-year tenure. The new ownership group, under Harris, immediately signaled a commitment to rebuilding the franchise's reputation, fostering a positive workplace, and enhancing the fan experience.
The Josh Harris era began with significant organizational changes, including the hiring of General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. The team saw a remarkable turnaround in the 2024 season, achieving a 12-5 record and making a surprising run to the NFC Championship game, which was widely praised as a testament to the new leadership's impact. However, the 2025 season proved to be a setback, with the Commanders finishing 5-12, largely attributed to injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and a struggling defense.
As of April 2026, the Commanders are focused on a rebound. They have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming season, with David Blough as offensive coordinator and Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator, under Head Coach Dan Quinn. The team holds the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is actively exploring options to strengthen the roster. A major development is the ongoing plan for a new world-class, domed stadium on the site of the former RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Initial renderings were unveiled in January 2026, and the DC City Council approved the plan in September 2025. Preliminary site and building plans were presented to the National Capital Planning Commission in April 2026, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2026 and completion by 2030. The team is also set to unveil new uniforms today, April 15, 2026, signaling a continued evolution of the brand.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Washington Commanders made different choices?