Managing Partner Josh Harris has been dedicated to turning the Washington Commanders into a first-class organization, and the investments are paying off.
The Commanders received favorable grades in the NFLPA's annual report cards for teams, ranking 11th overall and receiving high grades in categories ranging from their weight room and training staff to team travel, head coach and ownership. Specifically, Dan Quinn and the Atlanta Falcons' Raheem Morris were the only head coaches to receive an "A+" grade, while Harris received an "A" grade from players.
"That goes to Josh, honestly, and [general manager] Adam [Peters]," Quinn said of the Commanders' grades while at the NFL Scouting Combine. "There's no gap in between what he [Harris] says and what he does. And so, to have that type of reflection in a year is really big. We told him how important this was to us. He heard that from the players and then took action on that."
The Commanders received at least a "B" in eight categories, including "A" grades for their weight room and strength coaches -- an area that was praised in previous report cards -- in addition to their positive reviews of Quinn and Harris. It is a stark turnaround from last year when they graded with at least a "C" in five categories. The 2024 report card noted "a long list of items with the workplace that continue to be problems, and players expressed that they have grown tired of the deficiencies."
Harris, whose group of partners finalized their purchase of the franchise ahead of the 2022 season, has put in the resources to upgrade the team's facilities based on input from the coaching staff and players. On Feb. 27, 2024, They announced significant upgrades to the fan and player experience at Northwest Stadium, bringing target investments at the time to a total of more than $75 million.
The Commanders' practice facility in Ashburn, Virginia, also experienced significant changes. Harris and his partners removed a turf field, which had not been used for decades, and replaced it with a fourth grass practice field that was finished before the start of the 2024 season. They reallocated space in the building for more meeting space as well as a lounge that players could use to relax in between meetings or after practice.
Quinn highlighted how Harris has helped improve the team's treatment of families -- a category the Commanders earned a "B+" in for services like daycare during home games. Players who participated in the survey also reported that the team "frequently organizes family events," which ranked second in the league.
The Commanders ranked 31st in treatment of families in the 2024 report card; they ranked 11th this year.
"To see things like family support and having that increase, that's really big," Quinn said. "Our families...they make a lot of sacrifices for us to do what we can do. And so, to have that right there [with] team travel, all those, to me, reflect back to Josh and the vision of what it can be."
The players agree with Quinn's assessment of Harris. His average rating for perceived willingness to invest in the facilities ranked 10th among NFL owners. They noted that Harris "significantly contributes to a positive team culture" and is "extremely committed to building a competitive team."
The report also points out that Quinn was "key to the turnaround," as he finished the season as the No. 1-ranked head coach across the league. The entirety of the roster felt that Quinn is "efficient with their time" and highly receptive to locker room feedback on the team's needs. He was one of six coaches in the NFL to receive a perfect score.
The Commanders rank in the top half of the league in seven categories in this year's report card compared to ranking either 32nd or 31st in the previous year. For their food and dining area, they received an 8.74 and a nine out of a possible 10 for the taste and freshness of their food, respectively. Players also gave high marks for the training staff with 92% of them reporting that they receive enough one-on-one training treatment. Players reported a major improvement in team travel, as 95% felt they had a comfortable amount of personal space on flights.
The only failing grade the Commanders received was for their locker room, which players noted needed bigger lockers and more space. However, the team is working on upgrading the space among other improvements to the practice facility, which will be finished later this year.
Although there is still work to be done, the NFLPA stated in its overview of the Commanders that "they are positively changing the culture -- and it shows both in the survey results and on the field."
"The Commanders' improved rating reflects how meaningful improvements to players' daily experience can be achieved, even with physical facility limitations," the NFLPA stated via their assessment of Washington's organization."
First released in 2023, the NFLPA's annual team report cards were set up to provide players with a resource that reflects their opinions and experiences about each team's workplace conditions with nearly 1,700 players providing information. Click **HERE** to view the Commanders' full report card.
