The Washington Commanders compete in the NFC East division of the National Football League. Founded in 1932 as the Boston Braves before moving through multiple rebrandings, the franchise boasts a storied legacy of championships, iconic rosters, and passionate fans. Understanding this franchise requires examining its multi-era history, stadium evolution, and organizational structure.
The organization's roots stretch across nearly a century of professional football. From early championship victories to modern roster builds under general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, the team remains a cornerstone of the league. Fans tracking the franchise need a comprehensive breakdown of its origins, milestones, and home fields.
Franchise Origins and Name Changes
The franchise began in Boston in 1932 under owner George Preston Marshall. Known initially as the Boston Braves, the team changed its name to the Boston Redskins the following year before relocating to the nation's capital in 1937.
- Boston Braves (1932): The inaugural season spent playing at Braves Field.
- Boston Redskins (1933–1936): Played home games at Fenway Park.
- Washington Redskins (1937–2019): The long-running identity that captured three Super Bowl titles.
- Washington Football Team (2020–2021): A transitional identity used for two seasons.
- Washington Commanders (2022–Present): The current moniker adopted ahead of the 2022 season.
Throughout these shifts, the team maintained its core colors of burgundy and gold. The franchise secured two NFL championships in the pre-Super Bowl era (1937 and 1942) alongside three Super Bowl championships (XVII, XXII, and XXVI) under legendary head coach Joe Gibbs.
Home Stadium Evolution
The franchise has played in several distinct venues across Boston, Washington D.C., and Maryland. Each stadium hosted notable eras of team history.
- Fenway Park (Boston): Home to the early Boston iteration from 1933 to 1936.
- Griffith Stadium (Washington): The first local venue, hosting the team from 1937 to 1960.
- RFK Stadium (Washington): Originally DC Stadium, this venue hosted the team from 1961 to 1996, housing the famous "Hogs" offensive line and roaring crowds during peak championship runs.
- Northwest Stadium (Landover, Maryland): Opened in 1997 as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium and formerly known as FedExField, this suburban venue serves as the current home turf.
The organization announced plans to return to the historic RFK Stadium site along the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., with a new stadium slated for approximately 2030. Team headquarters and practice facilities are located in Ashburn, Virginia.
Ownership and Front Office Leadership
Leadership stability has defined the modern era of the franchise. Following decades under George Preston Marshall and later Jack Kent Cooke, the team experienced a turbulent period under Daniel Snyder from 1999 to 2023.
In July 2023, an investment group led by Josh Harris acquired the franchise. The new ownership group instituted structural changes across the front office and football operations, hiring Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach to steer a competitive roster rebuild centered around young talent like quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the team change its name to the Commanders?
The franchise officially rebranded as the Washington Commanders on February 2, 2022, following a two-year period where it operated as the Washington Football Team.
How many Super Bowls have the Commanders won?
The franchise has won three Super Bowls: Super Bowl XVII (1983), Super Bowl XXII (1988), and Super Bowl XXVI (1992). All three titles were won under head coach Joe Gibbs.
Where is the team's training facility located?
The team's headquarters and year-round training facilities are located in Ashburn, Virginia, while home games are played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Who owns the Washington Commanders?
An ownership group led by Josh Harris owns the franchise, having purchased the team in July 2023.
