The Washington Commanders have many new people making choices for the team as they head into the 2024 season. NFL draft.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the team's new owner, Josh Harris, taking on a larger role in making draft-day decisions has surprised some within the organization.
“According to a source familiar with the situation, Harris has been more involved than expected,” Florio wrote. “In reality, most owners are more involved than the media and fans realize. They usually like to be able to blame bad decisions on others, much like how the owners collectively use Commissioner Roger Goodell as a highly-paid scapegoat.”
In 2023, Harris led a group of investors including NBA legend Magic Johnson in acquiring the Commanders from Dan Snyder for a reported $6.05 billion.
Josh Harris: Good at Investments, Bad at Winning
Harris has been one of the top investors in the world of professional sports over the past decade, making profitable deals that have earned him and his investment groups billions of dollars.
in 2011, Harris led a group that bought the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 for $280 million. Forbes valued the 76ers at $4.3 billion in 2023.
In 2013, Harris led another group that purchased the NHL’s New Jersey Devils for $320 million. Forbes valued the Devils at $1.5 billion in 2023.
In 2015, Harris paid $149 million for a controlling stake in Premier League soccer club Crystal Palace F.C. Forbes valued Crystal Palace at $806 million in 2023. Harris also owns NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing Team.
Since Harris purchased them, none of the teams he owns have ever even played for a championship, and he famously oversaw “The Process” with the 76ers — a three-year period in which the team intentionally performed poorly to secure high draft picks.
Why 2024 NFL draft could define Commanders
The most important reason the 2024 NFL draft is crucial for the Commanders is that they have the No. 2 overall pick after finishing with a 4-13 record in 2023.
The Commanders will very likely select a quarterback with that pick — probably either LSU’s Jayden Daniels or North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The Commanders came under scrutiny last week for hosting four quarterbacks at once — Daniels, Maye, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
“How subtle will Harris be when it comes to which of the top quarterback prospects he prefers?” Florio wrote. “Our best explanation for this week’s four-quarterback square dance was that they visited on a day that Harris was available to be there for the meetings. Harris met with quarterbacks at the Scouting Combine. Harris realizes the importance of the decision his team is about to make.
“Ultimately, it’s his team. So it’s his decision. He’ll develop a preference. It will be impossible for him to keep it quiet. Once those around him sense what it is, that’s the direction in which they’ll go.”
As well as Harris reportedly becoming more involved in the decision-making process, the Commanders also have a new head coach in former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator and Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and a new general manager, Adam Peters, who transitioned from his role as assistant general manager with the San Francisco 49ers.
Florio thinks that combination could weaken the decision-making.
“Even if the owner doesn't realize it, his employees are observing everything he says, every question he asks, and every move he makes,” Florio stated. “When you are a multi-billionaire and the person ultimately in charge of the team, anyone who wants to keep their job will be looking for any hints about what will satisfy you.”
