Why Washington Football Team should be the NFL franchise’s permanent name

This is a good idea.

We’re seven weeks into the NFL’s Washington football team being named the Washington Football Team.

It’s a name that could stick longer beyond 2020.

Per an interview with team president Jason Wright on WJLA, fans in D.C. should prepare for the franchise to possibly keep its WFT nickname for the 2021 season.

“I think next year is fast because of how the brand has to come together through uniforms, through approval processes through the league,” Wright told the station. “Next year is fast. There is a pretty good chance we will still be the Washington Football Team next season. We could get there quicker, it’s actually pretty hard to get there that quickly because of all the steps that need to happen.”

It does sound like there’s probably going to be a name change beyond the first name change, but I for one have a solution: keep Washington Football Team.

I’ve spent the first month and a half of the season writing it, seeing it written out and looking at the uniforms. And you know what? I like it!

First of all, Washington Football Team sounds like a European soccer franchise (not as good as my colleague, Nate Scott, calling for “Washington FC”), and we need more of those names in American sports. No more Eagles or Tigers or Panthers or whatever. Real Dallas! FC Los Angeles! And Washington Football Team!

It’s unlike any other nickname in the NFL, NHL, MLB or NBA, and that’s a good thing.

Every time I write the name, it’s also a reminder that the previous, very offensive nickname has been vanquished, a victory in a long-fought battle over owner Dan Snyder, who famously stated, “We will never change the name of the team. … NEVER — you can use caps.”

Look, I know there are some terrific suggestions for the rebrand — Washington Redtails and Redhawks are good ones, especially with the history attached to the former — and I know that taking the time to come up with something good will hopefully make sure the franchise selects a winner.

But if they decide that WFT is here to stay, especially if the sad-sack franchise doesn’t want to risk being a laughingstock in case the new name is terrible? I’d approve.

[jwplayer 4r8w4mfh-q2aasYxh]