NFL Rumors: Bears' Cunningham, 49ers' Peters Finalists for Commanders' Top Exec Job

The Washington Commanders are reportedly down to two candidates for their president of football operations position.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "Commanders managing partner Josh Harris is moving rapidly and thoroughly through the process," which has left him with San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters and Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham as two finalists.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports also reported they are the two finalists who are expected to receive second interviews.

This seems to be the next step in Harris' overhaul of the Commanders.

He is the leader of the group that purchased the NFC East team this summer for a record $6.05 billion, and changes are already going into place. Washington fired head coach Ron Rivera after the season and has the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which could present the opportunity to select a new franchise quarterback.

Quickly hiring a president of football operations would establish a key decision-maker in the front office ahead of April's draft and what could be a franchise-altering choice.

Peters is no stranger to important decisions considering this is his 21st season in the NFL and seventh with the 49ers. Before he joined San Francisco, he was with the Denver Broncos for eight seasons and New England Patriots for six seasons.

He handled various scouting roles with the Patriots and Broncos and won two Super Bowls with New England and another with Denver. San Francisco hasn't taken home a Lombardi Trophy during his tenure, but it has gone to three NFC Championship Games and has the No. 1 seed in the NFC this season.

Cunningham isn't as experienced as Peters, but he was a key figure in scouting and player personnel with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Bears with general manager Ryan Poles ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Philadelphia and Baltimore each won a Super Bowl when he was on their staffs.

A new era is starting for the Commanders with an important draft on the horizon, so it comes as no surprise Harris is looking at candidates with track records of success when it comes to player evaluation.