Washington Commanders hire new general manager: What to know about the former 49ers GM

The Commanders have new owners. They’ll soon have a new head coach, but they’ve found a new top executive to help with the transition, signing former 49ers deputy general manager Adam Peters to supervise the front office, the team announced Monday.

As previously confirmed by CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, the first decision came days after Washington reportedly reduced their search for a new director of football operations to Peters and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who was also interviewed.

Peters, 44, has spent the last three seasons as 49ers general manager John Lynch’s right-hand man, working in the same San Francisco front office that selected or acquired key players such as quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey. Before being promoted to associate general manager, Peters served as the team’s vice president of player personnel from 2017 until 2020. During his tenure with the 49ers, the team won three NFC championships and one Super Bowl.

“I am incredibly grateful to Josh Harris and the Washington Commanders ownership group for this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Peters said in a statement issued by the team. “My family and I are pleased at the opportunity to be a part of the DMV community and look forward to engaging with such a legendary, passionate Commanders fan base. I am eternally grateful to the York family, John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan, and the whole 49ers organization for an incredible experience. Throughout my NFL career, I’ve learned that successful businesses start with a strong ownership group willing to invest the resources required to build a winning culture.

We have that in Washington, and it is my obligation and privilege to carry out the task of building a club that will eventually compete for the Super Bowl. I understand how important the Commanders are to our fans, owners, the legends who paved the way for this team, and the NFL. “The work begins now.”

While Martin Mayhew, another former 49ers executive, remains the Commanders’ current general manager, Peters will be in charge of arranging the front office hierarchy beneath him. Mayhew and former Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, who now serves as executive vice president of football personnel, might be reassigned or replaced.

Peters brings substantial title-contending experience to the Commanders, who are also searching for a new coach after Ron Rivera was fired. Prior to joining the 49ers, the California native worked for the Broncos for eight years, first as a scout and later as director of college scouting, where he helped uncover future Denver Pro Bowl players such as Justin Simmons and Chris Harris. He began his NFL career as a Patriots scout, working from 2003 to 2008, during which time New England won two Super Bowls.

Peters’ history may influence the Commanders’ top candidates for head coach under new controlling owner Joshua Harris.

Washington reportedly requested an interview with Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who previously spent six years under Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers, joining San Francisco around the same season Peters began working for the organization.