NFL Rumors: 49ers' Adam Peters Hired as Commanders GM; Ben Johnson in Play for HC

Josh Harris has made his first major hire as the managing partner of the Washington Commanders by bringing on Adam Peters as the team's new general manager.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager will take over as Washington's general manager with existing members of the front office to be evaluated in the coming days.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is "firmly in play" to be the next Commanders head coach.

Peters has been in the NFL since 2009 when he was hired as a regional scout by the Denver Broncos. He worked his way up through the organization, eventually to director of college scouting in 2016.

When the 49ers hired John Lynch as general manager and Kyle Shanahan as head coach in February 2017, Peters joined the front office as vice president of player personnel.

San Francisco promoted Peters to be assistant general manager in 2021. His hiring comes as a bit of a surprise because Martin Mayhew has been the Commanders' GM since 2021.

Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Mayhew's future with the organization will now be decided by Peters.

Mayhew was hired by previous owner Daniel Snyder, though he previously worked in San Francisco's front office from 2017 to '20. The Commanders haven't been very successful during his three-year stint as general manager. They have finished last in the NFC East in each of the past two seasons and tied a franchise record with 13 losses this season.

Despite the lack of recent success for the Commanders, there are reasons that they are an attractive destination right now. Owning the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft—guaranteeing the chance to select Caleb Williams or Drake Maye—is a potentially quick way to turn things around.

Peters has been in the front office for a very successful period for the 49ers. They are the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the second time since 2019. They have played in the NFC Championship Game three times and advanced to Super Bowl 54.