Even though the Washington Commanders are in the midst of a rebuild, head coach Anthony Lynn decided to join the endeavor despite leading the Super Bowl-contending San Francisco 49ers.
Many questioned why Lynn would make such a move after he went from serving as the running backs coach and assistant head coach on the No. 2 team in the NFL to simply serving as the running backs coach and run game coordinator on a team that had the second-worst record in the league in 2023. However, Lynn has since provided an explanation for his actions.
“I love the leadership here; that’s what brought me here, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters and even the president Jason Wright,” Lynn said to Scott Abraham.
After spending a combined six seasons in reduced NFL coaching roles, Quinn and Lynn—who had both served as head coaches in the past—are now looking to show that they can work together to turn around the struggling Commanders.
“(Years ago, our agent) connected us together, and we’ve just been friends ever since,” Lynn said. “We always talked about (coaching) together one day. Now we’re here.”
Lynn called new Washington general manager Adam Peters awesome from their time together in San Francisco and sounded excited to work with him again, expressing that the right people are in the building.
“I don’t think we’re as far away as people think, and with the leadership that we have, the ownership that we have, the organization having some stability … I just thought that it was an opportunity to go be a part of something that I think is gonna be special,” Lynn said.
In order for the team to start competing again, the next task for this new administration is to put together a roster that is as strong as the coaching staff. This week at the NFL Combine, the staff can begin to identify its ideal draft prospects.