Will Harris was down to join the Washington Commanders from the moment he heard that they were interested in adding his services to their roster.

The fact that the Commanders were one of the best teams in the league last season and have a bright future played a role in his enthusiasm, but the biggest selling point for him had little to do with their success on the field.

Actually, it was all about the support, love and excitement the players showed one another.

"You see the way these guys play whether you're across the sideline from them or you're watching on TV," Harris told Bryan Colbert Jr. on "Next Man Up." "There's something intangible that you can see."

Harris, who played for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, got to do both. The Commanders played the Saints on the road in Week 15, and Harris was impressed with the energy they played with. "The way they fly around," Harris said, "The way they get to the ball" was apparent on every play, and it played a role in the Commanders coming away with a 20-19 win in New Orleans.

Harris saw those traits, both as a competitor and spectator, and wanted to be part of it.

"How they're playing for one another, how they're playing for these coaches, how everything's just in tandem," Harris said. "And obviously you got a guy like [head coach] Dan Quinn. It's hard not to want to run through a brick wall for him."

Harris is not the only one to have that opinion of the Commanders, as their culture shift has gotten the attention of players around the league. **Offensive tackle Foster Sarrell,** who also signed with Washington this offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers, said "it's become pretty unanimous around the league that they are just running this place really well. The players love being here, and coaches love working here. I think that is super appealing, because that matters a lot."

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But the upgraded culture wasn't just a feel-good story for the Commanders; it was something their opponents had to prepare for. Harris said the Saints talked about the Commanders' attitude and energy all week and stressed to their players that they needed to be ready for it.

"Outside of the X's and O's, outside of the players, it's their culture there," Harris said of Washington. "They're coming with culture; that culture of energy. Guys are coming out there and just letting it loose and just playing for one another."

While with the Saints, Harris saw how every Commanders touchdown was a celebration for both sides of the ball. Players cheered each other on after positive plays and rallied around them during negative ones. Those small actions might not have led directly to points for the Burgundy & Gold, but they did play a role.

"That's a psychological upside that you can have," Harris said.

Though it's only been about a month since he signed with Washington, Harris has been impressed with everything he's seen from the team. It has lived up to his reputation and expectations, and he feels "humbled" that the Commanders believe that he can help elevate their defense.

And Harris believes he's a perfect fit.

"I take a lot of pride in being able to turn on the tape and see the way I play," Harris said. "See me running around and flying around and uplifting my teammates."