Although the team ultimately finished outside the playoffs, placing third in the NFC East with a 7-10 record, the 2021 NFL season was certainly filled with excitement for the Washington Football Team. Indeed, while the play itself was quite unremarkable, a laundry list of off-field controversies stimulated a buzz around the organization: from the stadium conditions to complaints about the owner or lack of a nickname. However, the organization is hoping that their new name – the Washington Commanders – will spark a new era of winning football.

Last year’s surprise NFC East title sparked optimism around FedExField. Led by a burgeoning defensive front and 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, many hoped Head Coach Ron Rivera could replicate the previous year’s success by adding complimentary pieces to their young core. Additionally, a potential star turn by quarterback Taylor Heinecke against the Bucs in the 2020 wild card round of the playoffs gave fans hope. However, Heinecke ultimately proved unable to replicate his playoff magic throughout the regular season, and the defense disappointed after an ACL tear in Week 10 sidelined Chase Young for the rest of the season. 

In 2020, Washington was the subject of an investigation into rampant sexual harassment and misconduct. As a result, owner Dan Snyder was fined $10 million and his wife took over day-to-day operations of the organization. While a written report of the investigation was never released, it uncovered emails from Raiders head coach Jon Gruden to former Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen that used racist and homophobic language, leading to Gruden’s termination. 

The franchise hoped that the long-awaited announcement of a new team nickname would distract fans from poor play and off-the-field controversies and usher in an era focused on quality on-field product. After the team was founded as the Boston Braves in 1932, the organization moved to D.C. and became the Washington Redskins in 1937. However, after years of backlash from Native American communities and weeks of backlash from corporate sponsors after the George Floyd murder, owner Dan Snyder relented in 2020 to eliminate a team nickname entirely until a choice could be finalized. After two years as the Washington Football Team, the franchise finally announced the Washington Commanders nickname on February 2.