When the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) released its team report cards last season, the Washington Commanders received bad news.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see how bad things were for Washington:
- Treatment of Families: F-
- Food/Cafeteria: D+
- Nutritionist/Dietician: B-
- Locker Room: F-
- Training Room: F-
- Training Staff: F
- Weight Room: C
- Strength Coaches: A
- Team Travel: F
- Head Coach: C
- Ownership: B
The only reason why the Commanders scored as high in some categories (ownership) as they did was because new owner Josh Harris had taken over in July. Unfortunately, it was too late for Harris to impact many of the categories where Washington players handed out bad grades to the franchise.
Earlier this year, Harris famously reacted to the NFLPA report card: “I’m not an F- guy.”
Harris and his ownership group have committed over $75 million to improve the team’s stadium in Landover (Maryland) and the franchise’s headquarters in Ashburn (Virginia). Additionally, Harris has focused on adding qualified personnel throughout multiple departments, where the franchise was lean under former owner Dan Snyder.
One of the bad grades the Commanders received was in the food/cafeteria category.
According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Harris has made significant changes to this area, too.
In Barshop’s story, one Washington player said the food wasn’t necessarily bad, but it was “repetitive, and players have gotten bored.” Something needed to change.
One of Washington’s captains, safety and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves, has been impressed by new ownership’s changes.
“It was very selective in what we were eating [before], obviously,” Reaves said. “And new ownership and new coaches came in, and they changed all of that stuff. They made an emphasis on that. When we came in, when new ownership came in, they took the time personally to come talk to some of the leaders that’ve been here for a while and ask us what we want to exchange and what we wanted different. And we are seeing it.”
There are a lot of positive vibes around the Commanders right now. From new ownership to general manager Adam Peters to the new coaching staff. Returning players are refreshed by all of the changes, while new players are anxious to be a part of the change that hopefully turns the franchise around.
Don’t expect many — if any — F- grades for Washington in 2024. Two things are out of Harris’ control: The locker room and training room. However, the Commanders are working on both, and it will take time. As far as the treatment of families, that’s unlikely to be an issue moving forward for players.