Editing Washington Commanders

{{Short description|National Football League franchise based in the Washington, D.C., area}}
{{distinguish|Washington Commandos}}
{{Redirect|Washington Redskins|history of that branding|History of the Washington Commanders}}
{{Redirect|Washington Football Team|other football teams named Washington|Washington football (disambiguation)}}
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{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL team
| name = Washington Commanders
| current = 2025 Washington Commanders season
| logo = Washington Commanders logo.svg
| wordmark = Washington Commanders wordmark.svg
| uniform = [[File:Washington Commanders uniforms 2024–present.png|250px]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1932|7|9}}
| first_season = [[1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season|1932]]
| stadium = [[Northwest Stadium]] {{nowrap|([[Landover, Maryland]])}}
| headquartered = [[Ashburn, Virginia]]{{efn|OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park}}
| colors = {{ubl|Burgundy, gold, white, black<!-- https://www.commanders.com/news/4-things-to-know-about-the-washington-commanders-new-uniforms-->|{{color box|#5A1414}} {{color box|#FFB612}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#000000}}}}
| song = {{nowrap|"[[Hail to the Commanders]]"}}
| mascot = [[Major Tuddy]]
| website = {{URL|Commanders.com}}
| owner = [[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]]
| president = [[Mark Clouse]]
| general manager = [[Adam Peters]]
| coach = [[Dan Quinn (American football)|Dan Quinn]]
| nicknames =
* The Burgundy and Gold
* The 'Skins (as the Redskins)
* [[The Over-the-Hill Gang (American football)|The Over-the-Hill Gang]] (1970s)
* [[The Fun Bunch]] (1980s receiving group)
* [[The Hogs (American football)|The Hogs]] (1980s offensive line)
| NFL_start_yr = 1932
| hist_yr = 2022
| hist_misc =
* Boston Braves ({{nfly|1932}})
* Boston Redskins ({{nfly|1933|1936}})
* Washington Redskins ({{nfly|1937|2019}})
* Washington Football Team ({{nfly|2020|2021}})
| stadium_years =
* [[Braves Field]] (1932)
* [[Fenway Park]] (1933–1936)
* [[Griffith Stadium]] (1937–1960)
* [[RFK Stadium]] (1961–1996)
* '''[[Northwest Stadium]] ({{nfly|1997}}–present)'''
<!--* [[New Commanders Stadium]] (({{circa|2030}}) Keep hidden until deal is approved by D.C. Council.-->
| division_hist =
* Eastern Division (1933–1949)
* American Conference (1950–1952)
* Eastern Conference (1953–1969)
** Capitol Division (1967–1969)
* '''[[National Football Conference]] (1970–present)'''
** '''[[NFC East]] (1970–present)'''
| no_league_champs = 5
| no_sb_champs = 3
| no_conf_champs = 5
| no_div_champs = 15
| league_champs =
* '''Pre-merger [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL championships]]: 2'''<br />[[1937 Washington Redskins season|1937]], [[1942 Washington Redskins season|1942]]
| sb_champs = [[1982 Washington Redskins season|1982]]&nbsp;([[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]]), [[1987 Washington Redskins season|1987]]&nbsp;([[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]]), [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]]&nbsp;([[Super Bowl XXVI|XXVI]])
| conf_champs =
* '''NFC:''' [[1972 Washington Redskins season|1972]], [[1982 Washington Redskins season|1982]], [[1983 Washington Redskins season|1983]], [[1987 Washington Redskins season|1987]], [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]]
| div_champs =
* '''NFL Eastern:''' [[1936 Boston Redskins season|1936]], [[1937 Washington Redskins season|1937]], [[1940 Washington Redskins season|1940]], [[1942 Washington Redskins season|1942]], [[1943 Washington Redskins season|1943]], [[1945 Washington Redskins season|1945]]
* '''NFC East:''' [[1972 Washington Redskins season|1972]], [[1983 Washington Redskins season|1983]], [[1984 Washington Redskins season|1984]], [[1987 Washington Redskins season|1987]], [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]], [[1999 Washington Redskins season|1999]], [[2012 Washington Redskins season|2012]], [[2015 Washington Redskins season|2015]], [[2020 Washington Football Team season|2020]]
| playoff_appearances =
* [[1936 NFL Championship Game|1936]], [[1937 NFL Championship Game|1937]], [[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1942 NFL Championship Game|1942]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], [[1945 NFL Championship Game|1945]], [[1971–72 NFL playoffs|1971]], [[1972–73 NFL playoffs|1972]], [[1973–74 NFL playoffs|1973]], [[1974–75 NFL playoffs|1974]], [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|1976]], [[1982–83 NFL playoffs|1982]], [[1983–84 NFL playoffs|1983]], [[1984–85 NFL playoffs|1984]], [[1986–87 NFL playoffs|1986]], [[1987–88 NFL playoffs|1987]], [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|1990]], [[1991–92 NFL playoffs|1991]], [[1992–93 NFL playoffs|1992]], [[1999–2000 NFL playoffs|1999]], [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|2005]], [[2007–08 NFL playoffs|2007]], [[2012–13 NFL playoffs|2012]], [[2015–16 NFL playoffs|2015]], [[2020–21 NFL playoffs|2020]], [[2024–25 NFL playoffs|2024]]
| no_playoff_appearances = 26
| team_owners =
* [[George Preston Marshall]] (1932–1965)
* [[Edward Bennett Williams]] (1965–1979)
* [[Jack Kent Cooke]] (1979–1997)
* Cooke estate (1997–1999)
* [[Daniel Snyder]] (1999–2023)
* '''[[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]] (2023–present)'''
}}
The '''Washington Commanders''' are a professional [[American football]] team based in the [[Washington metropolitan area]].<!--No reason to change this as there is no such thing as a Washington state metropolitan area. Even if there were, the article itself should be moved and not piped here.--> The Commanders compete in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) as a member of the [[National Football Conference]] (NFC) [[NFC East|East]] division. Formerly known as the '''Washington Redskins''', the franchise was founded by [[George Preston Marshall]] as the '''Boston Braves''' in [[1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season|1932]]. They became the [[Redskin]]s in [[1933 Boston Redskins season|1933]] and [[National Football League franchise moves and mergers|relocated]] to Washington, D.C. in [[1937 Washington Redskins season|1937]]. The Redskins name and logo was [[Washington Redskins name controversy|viewed as controversial]] for decades before it was retired in [[2020 Washington Football Team season|2020]] as part of a [[List of name changes due to the George Floyd protests|wave of name changes]] during a [[United States racial unrest (2020–2023)|period of racial unrest]] in the United States. The team played as the '''Washington Football Team''' before rebranding as the Commanders in [[2022 Washington Commanders season|2022]].

The Commanders plays its home games at [[Northwest Stadium]] in [[Landover, Maryland]], with its headquarters and training facility located in [[Ashburn, Virginia]]. The Commanders have played more than 1,300 games and have won more than 600. Washington was among the first NFL franchises with an original [[fight song]], "[[Hail to the Commanders]]", which is played by [[Washington Commanders Marching Band|their marching band]] after every home game [[touchdown]]. The franchise won [[NFL championships]] in [[1937 NFL Championship Game|1937]] and [[1942 NFL Championship Game|1942]] and Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]] (1982), [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]] (1987), and [[Super Bowl XXVI|XXVI]] (1991). The Commanders have finished a season as league runner-up six times, losing the [[1936 NFL Championship Game|1936]], [[1940 NFL Championship Game|1940]], [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], and [[1945 NFL Championship Game|1945]] title games and Super Bowls [[Super Bowl VII|VII]] (1972) and [[Super Bowl XVIII|XVIII]] (1983). Washington has 26 [[NFL playoffs|playoff appearances]] and 14 division titles.

All of Washington's championships were attained during two 10-year spans. From [[1936 Boston Redskins season|1936]] to [[1945 Washington Redskins season|1945]], the team went to the [[NFL Championship]] six times, winning two of them under general manager [[Jack Espey]] and head coach [[Ray Flaherty]]. The second period lasted from [[1982 Washington Redskins season|1982]] to [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]] when they won three of the four Super Bowls they appeared in, under owner [[Jack Kent Cooke]], general managers [[Bobby Beathard]] and [[Charley Casserly]], and head coach [[Joe Gibbs]]. From 1946 to 1970, Washington posted just four winning seasons and never reached the playoffs. They went without a single winning season from 1956 to 1968, a span that included their worst regular season record: {{Win-loss record|w=1|l=12|t=1}} in [[1961 Washington Redskins season|1961]]. Another period following their last Super Bowl victory in 1991 saw only four NFC East division titles and three playoff wins until [[2024 Washington Commanders season|2024]].

==History==
{{See also|History of the Washington Commanders|List of Washington Commanders seasons|label 2 = list of seasons}}

===George Preston Marshall era (1932–1965)===
[[File:George Marshall and Ray Flaherty, football coach of Washington Redskins (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Team founder [[George Preston Marshall]] with head coach [[Ray Flaherty]], 1937]]
The city of [[Boston]] was awarded a [[National Football League]] (NFL) franchise on July 9, 1932, under the ownership of American businessman [[George Preston Marshall]].<ref name="thirties">{{Cite web |title=The 1930s |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1930-by-the-decade |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193933/https://www.redskins.com/team/history/1930-by-the-decade |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Football Team Team Facts |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/washington-football-team/team-facts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230225/https://www.profootballhof.com/teams/washington-football-team/team-facts/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=September 22, 2020 |website=ProFootballHOF.com}}</ref> The team was named after the [[Boston Braves]] baseball team, with whom they shared [[Braves Field]], with the [[1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season|inaugural season]] coached by [[Lud Wray]]. The team saw several changes in [[1933 Boston Redskins season|1933]], including a name change to the "Redskins" and playing their home games at [[Fenway Park]], home of the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Wray was also replaced at head coach by [[Lone Star Dietz]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waggoner |first=Linda M. |author-link=Linda Waggoner |title=On Trial: The R*dskins Wily Mascot: Coach William "Lone Star" Dietz |url=http://nmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/seminars-symposia/WaggonerWEBSpr2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911111431/http://nmai.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/seminars-symposia/WaggonerWEBSpr2013.pdf |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=July 16, 2020 |website=[[Montana (journal)|Montana]] |via=[[National Museum of the American Indian]] |issue=Spring 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leiby |first=Richard |date=November 6, 2013 |title=The legend of Lone Star Dietz: Redskins namesake, coach – and possible impostor? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-legend-of-lone-star-dietz-redskins-namesake-coach--and-possible-imposter/2013/11/06/a1358a76-466b-11e3-bf0c-cebf37c6f484_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107041103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-legend-of-lone-star-dietz-redskins-namesake-coach--and-possible-imposter/2013/11/06/a1358a76-466b-11e3-bf0c-cebf37c6f484_story.html |archive-date=January 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Richman |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W8pvThJ6lRMC |title=The Redskins Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Temple University Press]] |year=2008 |isbn=9781592135448 |location=[[Philadelphia]] |page=3 |quote=William 'Lone Star' Dietz, a part-blooded Native American |access-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904091347/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Redskins_Encyclopedia/W8pvThJ6lRMC?gbpv=1 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The situation faced by Marshall in Boston was difficult. In 1935, Joe F. Carr opined: "To the casual observer bred in the knowledge of [[New England]]'s place in football's sun, because its cradle and nursery were there, the success of a Boston team in the professional ranks would be a foregone conclusion. Nothing could have been more erroneous. Boston finished the most forbidding ground for professional football of any large city in the country. The history of the game in Boston and New England was entirely associated with college, preparatory, and high school playing. Its eminence as an institution of sport grew in a hallowed atmosphere as an almost sacrosanct element of education which was to be kept ever free from commercial pollution."<ref>"Boston Redskins," in Joe F. Carr (ed.), ''Official Guide of the National Football League, 1935.'' New York: American Sports Publishing, 1935, pp. 16-17.</ref>

The Redskins appeared in the [[1936 NFL Championship Game]], their first championship appearance, but lost to the [[Green Bay Packers]] 21–6. In 1937, the Redskins moved to [[Washington, D.C.]], after five years in Boston, with Marshall stating that the area showed a lack of interest in the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Annear |first=Steve |date=July 13, 2020 |title=How did the 'Redskins' get their name, anyway? It started in Boston |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/13/metro/how-did-redskins-get-their-name-anyway-it-started-boston/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211144805/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/13/metro/how-did-redskins-get-their-name-anyway-it-started-boston/ |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=The Boston Globe}}</ref> Through [[1960 Washington Redskins season|1960]], the team shared baseball's [[Griffith Stadium]] with the first American League [[History of the Washington Senators (1901–1960)|Washington Senators]] baseball team.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1998 |title=Third Stadium a Real Charm |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/povich/launch/stadium.htm |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531050452/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/povich/launch/stadium.htm |archive-date=May 31, 2010}}</ref> In their first game in Washington, D.C., the Redskins defeated the [[1937 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in the season opener.<ref name="thirties" /> The same season, they earned their first division title in Washington with a {{nowrap|49–14}} win over the Giants.<ref name="thirties" /> Shortly after, the team won their first championship by defeating the [[1937 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] in the [[1937 NFL Championship Game]].<ref name="thirties" />
[[File:George Preston Marshall and the Washington Redskins, 1937.jpg|thumb|Marshall talking to players [[Wayne Millner]], Charlie Malone, [[Vic Carroll]], [[Bill Young (American football lineman)|Bill Young]], [[Ed Michaels]], and Jim Garber in 1937, their [[1937 Washington Redskins season|first season in Washington, D.C.]]]]
The Redskins met the [[1940 Chicago Bears season|Bears]] again in the [[1940 NFL Championship Game]].<ref name="playoffs">{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins playoff history | date=December 27, 2007 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?page=history07/was |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116084617/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?page=history07%2Fwas |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The result, {{nowrap|73–0}} in favor of the Bears, remains the worst one-sided loss in NFL history.<ref name="playoffs" /> The Redskins won their second championship in [[1942 NFL Championship Game|1942]], defeating the [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Bears]] {{nowrap|14–6.<ref name="playoffs" />}} In [[1943 NFL Championship Game|1943]], Dutch Bergman was named head coach and led the team to a return to the [[1943 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship game]], however they were defeated by the Chicago Bears {{nowrap|41–21.<ref name="playoffs" />}} That same season, [[Sammy Baugh]] led the NFL in passing, [[Punter (American football)|punting]], and [[interception]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL History: 1943 |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1941-1950#1943 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516040046/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1941-1950#1943 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=April 6, 2008 |work=[[National Football League]]}}</ref>

The Redskins played in the NFL Championship one more time before a quarter-century drought that lasted until the [[1972 NFL season|1972 season]]. With former Olympic [[gold medal]]ist [[Dudley DeGroot]] as their new head coach, the [[1945 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] went {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=2}} during the [[1945 NFL season|1945 season]]. One of the most impressive performances came from Baugh, who had a completion percentage of 70.3.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 22, 1952 |title=No. 33 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889570,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125223859/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889570,00.html |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2008}}</ref> They ended the season by losing to the [[1945 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]] in the [[1945 NFL Championship Game]], 15–14.<ref name="playoffs" /> The one-point margin of victory came under scrutiny because of a [[Safety (gridiron football score)|safety]] that occurred early in the game. In the first quarter, the Redskins had the ball at their own 5-yard line. Dropping back into the [[end zone]], [[quarterback]] Baugh threw to an open receiver, but the ball hit the goal post and bounced back to the ground in the end zone. Under the rules at the time, this was ruled as a safety and thus gave the Rams a 2–0 lead. Marshall was so upset at the outcome that he became a major force in passing a major rule change after the season, in which a forward pass that struck the goalpost was automatically ruled incomplete. This later became known as the "Baugh/Marshall Rule".<ref>Nash, Bruce, and Allen Zullo (1986). ''The Football Hall of Shame'', 68–69, Pocket Books. {{ISBN|0-671-74551-4}}.</ref>

The Redskins had four different head coaches from 1946 to 1951, including former players [[Turk Edwards]] and [[Dick Todd (American football)|Dick Todd]] as well as [[John Whelchel]] and [[Herman Ball]].<ref name="seasonresults">{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins' History |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/history/WAS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216061008/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/history/WAS |archive-date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2009 |website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> But this did not stop Marshall from trying to make the Redskins the most successful franchise in the league. His first major alteration happened on June 14, 1950, when it was announced that the [[American Oil Company]] planned to televise all Redskins games, making them the first NFL team to have an entire season of televised games.<ref name="fifties">{{Cite web |title=The 1950s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1950-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com }}</ref> His next major change came in February 1952, when he hired former Green Bay Packers coach [[Earl "Curly" Lambeau]].<ref name="fifties" /> But, after two seasons, Marshall fired Lambeau following the [[1952 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] loss in their exhibition opener to the [[1952 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] and hired [[Joe Kuharich]].<ref name="fifties" /> In 1955, Kuharich led the [[1955 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] to their first winning season in ten years and was named both [[Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year|Sporting News Coach of the Year]] and [[UPI NFL Coach of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Coach of the Year Award |url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nflcoy.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205094433/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nflcoy.shtml |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=April 6, 2008 |work=Hickok Sports}}</ref>

In [[1961 Washington Redskins season|1961]], the Redskins moved into their new stadium called D.C. Stadium, later renamed [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]] in 1969. The first game in new D.C. Stadium occurred on October 1 in front of 37,767 fans. However, the Redskins failed to hold a 14-point lead and lost to the [[1961 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] {{nowrap|24–21.<ref name="sixties">{{Cite web |title=The 1960s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1960-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com }}</ref>}} That same year, [[Bill McPeak]] became the head coach and had a record of {{Win-loss record|w=21|l=46|t=3}} over five seasons. During his tenure, he helped draft future stars: wide receiver [[Charley Taylor]], tight end [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]], safety [[Paul Krause]], center [[Len Hauss]], and linebacker [[Chris Hanburger]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 1991 |title=Bill McPeak, Football Scout, 64 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE4DA123FF93AA35756C0A967958260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904091348/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/09/obituaries/bill-mcpeak-football-scout-64.html |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He also helped pull off two important trades, gaining quarterback [[Sonny Jurgensen]] from the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and linebacker [[Sam Huff]] from the [[New York Giants]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hack |first=Damon |date=October 27, 2002 |title=Pro Football: Inside The NFL; A Greatest Redskin Still Loves New York |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507EEDC163FF934A15753C1A9649C8B63 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904091354/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/27/sports/pro-football-inside-the-nfl-a-greatest-redskin-still-loves-new-york.html |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In [[1966 Washington Redskins season|1966]], [[Otto Graham]] was hired as the new head coach. Graham coached the Redskins for three seasons for a record of {{Win-loss record|w=17|l=22|t=3}}. He resigned after the [[1968 Washington Redskins season|1968 season]], with the team hiring former Green Bay Packers head coach [[Vince Lombardi]] for the same role.

====Integration controversy====
[[File:Keep-redskins-white.png|thumb|left|1961 placard denouncing Marshall's integration of black players]]
During most of this unsuccessful period, Marshall continually refused to integrate the team, despite pressure from the [[U.S. government]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lecture: Lynn Povich and George Solomon |url=http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/bullpen/lynn_povich_and_george_solomon/lecture/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623223042/http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/bullpen/lynn_povich_and_george_solomon/lecture/ |archive-date=June 23, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=[[New York University]]}}</ref> Two months into the [[Kennedy administration]] on March 24, 1961, [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]] [[Stewart Udall]] warned Marshall to hire black players or face federal retribution.<ref name="udall" /> For the first time in history, the federal government had attempted to desegregate a professional sports team.<ref name="integrate">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Thomas G. |title=Civil Rights on the Gridiron |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0305/1346021.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403130913/http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0305/1346021.html |archive-date=April 3, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The Redskins were under the threat of [[civil rights]] legal action by the Kennedy administration, which would have prevented a segregated team from playing at the new federally-owned [[D.C. Stadium]], managed by the [[U.S. Department of the Interior]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 7, 2013 |title=That Time Nazis Marched to "Keep Redskins White" |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/nazis-desegregating-washington-nfl-football-team/ |url-status=dead |journal=Mother Jones |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727064049/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/nazis-desegregating-washington-nfl-football-team/ |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> The Redskins' previous venue, [[Griffith Stadium]], was owned by the Griffith family, owners of the [[1960 Washington Senators season|Washington Senators]], who moved and became the [[Minnesota Twins]] in [[1961 Minnesota Twins season|1961]].

In [[1962 Washington Redskins season|1962]], Washington became the final professional American football franchise to integrate. First, the Redskins selected running back [[Ernie Davis]] of [[1961 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]] with the [[List of first overall NFL draft picks|first overall pick]] in the [[1962 NFL draft]]; Davis was the first black player to win the [[Heisman Trophy]] and the first to be the top selection in an NFL draft.<ref name="udall">{{Cite news |date=December 4, 1961 |title=Washington Picks 1st Negro on Team |pages=4 |work=Petaluma Argus-Courier |agency=AP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65545937/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230303/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65545937/ernie-davis-washington-redskins/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="trade to Browns" /> Washington also took [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] [[Ron Hatcher]] of [[1961 Michigan State Spartans football team|Michigan State]] in the [[1962 NFL draft#Round eight|eighth round]], who became the first black player to sign a contract with the team.<ref name=integrate/><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 10, 1961 |title=Redskins sign up first Negro |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fnRQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3137%2C7388401 |website=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=7, sports |agency=Associated Press}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In December 1961, Marshall announced he had traded the rights to Davis to the [[1962 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]], who wanted Davis to join the league's leading rusher, [[Jim Brown]], in their backfield.<ref name="trade to Browns">{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1961 |title=Ernie Davis Joins Cleveland Browns |page=9 |work=[[Syracuse Post-Standard]] |location=Syracuse, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65545308/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65545308/ernie-davis-joins-cleveland-browns-post/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021}} {{open access}}</ref> Davis was traded for veteran running back [[Bobby Mitchell]], who became a [[wide receiver]] in Washington, D.C., and 1962 first-round draft choice [[Leroy Jackson]] of [[Western Illinois Leathernecks football|Western Illinois]].<ref name="integrate" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 10, 1962 |title=August 1962 Scoreboard |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,873711,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219065054/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,873711,00.html |archive-date=February 19, 2011 |access-date=April 6, 2008}}</ref> The move was made under unfortunate circumstances – as it turned out that Davis had [[leukemia]], and died without ever playing a down in professional football.<ref name="integrate" /> The Redskins ended the [[1962 Washington Redskins season|1962 season]] with their best record in five years: {{Win-loss record|w=5|l=7|t=2}}. Mitchell led the league with 11 touchdowns, and caught 72 passes and was selected to the [[1963 Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]]. In time, Mitchell would be joined by other black players like receiver [[Charley Taylor]], running back [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]], [[defensive back]] [[Brig Owens]], and guard [[John Nisby]].<ref name="integrate" />

=== Edward Bennett Williams era (1965–1979) ===
Marshall appointed board member [[Edward Bennett Williams]] to run the team's daily operations in 1965 due to declining health.<ref name="washingtonian">{{Cite web |date=November 2007 |title=A Look At The Four Redskins Owners |url=http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/5590.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704024941/http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/5590.html |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]]}}</ref> He acquired controlling interest in the franchise following Marshall's death on August 9, 1969.<ref name="washingtonian"/><ref name="EBW">{{cite web |last1=Guerrieri |first1=Vince |title=Edward Bennett Williams |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/edward-bennett-williams/ |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research]] |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref> In [[1969 Washington Redskins season|1969]], Williams hired former [[Green Bay Packers]] head coach [[Vince Lombardi]] for the same role, granting him a 5% stake in ownership and full control over football operations as the team's executive vice president.<ref name="RedskinsLegacy">{{cite web |title=Vince Lombardi's Enduring Redskins Legacy |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/vince-lombardi-s-enduring-redskins-legacy-10351640 |website=Commanders.com |access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref> Lombardi coached the Redskins to a {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=5|t=2}} record, their first winning season since [[1955 Washington Redskins season|1955]], but died from cancer shortly before the start of the [[1970 Washington Redskins season|1970 season]].<ref name="RedskinsLegacy"/> [[Bill Austin (American football, born 1928)|Bill Austin]], appointed earlier by Lombardi, served as interim head coach for the season.

==== George Allen years (1971–1977) ====
[[File:Richard M. Nixon meeting with the Washington Redskins football team. - NARA - 194738.jpg|thumb|U.S. president [[Richard Nixon]] meeting with the team, 1971]]
On January 6, 1971, Williams hired former [[Los Angeles Rams]] head coach [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] as head coach and general manager.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brady |first1=Dave |title=Redskins Hire Allen As Coach |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1997/history/allart/allen_hired.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=June 12, 2024 |date=January 7, 1971}}</ref> Partial to seasoned veterans instead of highly touted young players, Allen's teams became known as the [[The Over-the-Hill Gang (American football)|Over-the-Hill Gang]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=His past molds Bucs' future |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/10/Bucs/His_past_molds_Bucs__.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103212830/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/10/Bucs/His_past_molds_Bucs__.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2009 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |website=[[St. Petersburg Times]]}}</ref> That [[1971 NFL season|season]], the [[1971 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] made the [[1971–72 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] for the first time since 1945 with a {{Win-loss record|w=9|l=4|t=1}} record<ref name="seasonresults" /> with Redskins first-year head coach George Allen winning the 1971 [[NFL Coach of the Year]] award, the second of his career, having won his first in 1967 as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Coach of the Year Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-coach-of-the-year.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> However, they lost in the Divisional Playoffs to the [[1971 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], 24–20.<ref name="seventies">{{Cite web |title=The 1970s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1970-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513044001/https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1970-by-the-decade |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[1972 NFL season|following season]], the [[1972 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] hosted their first postseason game in Washington since 1942, where they beat the [[1972 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] 16–3 in the [[1972–73 NFL playoffs|NFC Divisional Playoffs]].<ref name="playoffs" /> The Redskins reached the [[NFC Championship Game]], and in a much-anticipated match-up against the archrival [[Dallas Cowboys]], The Redskins placekicker [[Curt Knight]] kicked an 18-yard field goal in the second quarter to get the scoring underway, then Redskins quarterback [[Billy Kilmer]] connected with Redskins wide receiver [[Charley Taylor]] on a 15-yard touchdown pass and Washington had a 10–3 lead at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Kilmer again went to Taylor, this time for a 45-yard touchdown. Knight added three more field goals that period and The Over-The-Hill-Gang defense allowed only a second-quarter field goal. The final score was Washington 26, Dallas 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - December 31st, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310was.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After defeating the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC Championship, the Redskins went on to lose to the [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|undefeated]] [[Miami Dolphins]] 14–7 in [[Super Bowl VII]].<ref name="seventies" /> Redskins running back [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] would be named the 1972 [[NFL MVP]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1972 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Redskins again made the playoffs in [[1973–74 NFL playoffs|1973]], [[1974–75 NFL playoffs|1974]], and [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|1976]], only to lose all three times in the first round.<ref name="seventies" /> After the team failed to make the playoffs in [[1977 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] despite a {{Win-loss record|w=9|l=5}} record, Allen was fired and was replaced at head coach by [[Jack Pardee]].<ref name="seasonresults" />

=== Jack Kent Cooke era (1979–1998) ===
Canadian-American businessman [[Jack Kent Cooke]], who had owned minority shares of the Redskins and been a board member since 1960, purchased majority interest from [[Edward Bennett Williams]] in 1974.<ref name="EBW"/> Due to NFL rules at the time disallowing controlling ownership in other leagues, he allowed Williams to operate the team until selling his other properties, the NBA's [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and the NHL's [[Los Angeles Kings]], to [[Jerry Buss]] in May 1979.<ref name="EBW"/> Cooke became the team's sole owner in 1985 after purchasing the remaining shares from Williams for around $9 million.<ref name="EBW"/>

==== Joe Gibbs years (1981–1992) ====
[[File:Joe Gibbs Redskins.jpg|thumb|Head coach [[Joe Gibbs]] won [[Super Bowl]]s in 1982, 1987, and 1991. He was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1996.]]
[[Jack Pardee]], the 1979 [[AP NFL Coach of the Year|NFL Coach of the Year]], was fired following a {{Win-loss record|w=6|l=10}} record in [[1980 Washington Redskins season|1980]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 1981 |title=REDSKINS OUST PARDEE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/06/sports/redskins-oust-pardee.html |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 13, 1981, Cooke hired [[San Diego Chargers]] offensive coordinator [[Joe Gibbs]] as head coach.<ref name="eighties">{{Cite web |title=The 1980s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1980-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513044002/https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1980-by-the-decade |url-status=live }}</ref> During the offseason, the Redskins acquired players such as [[Mark May]], [[Russ Grimm]], and [[Dexter Manley]] in the [[1981 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Washington Redskins Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1981_draft.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After starting the [[1981 Washington Redskins season|1981 season]] {{Win-loss record|w=0|l=5}}, the Redskins won eight out of their next 11 games and finished the season {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=8}} but fourth in the NFC East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1981.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XVII champions (1982) =====
{{Main|1982 Washington Redskins season}}
[[File:Joe Theismann1983.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback [[Joe Theismann]] won the 1983 [[NFL MVP]] award]]
Starting on September 21, 1982,<ref name="eighties" /> the NFL faced a 57-day long players' [[1982 NFL strike|strike]], which reduced the [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]] from a 16-game schedule to nine.<ref name="z547">{{cite web | title=NFL strike ends after 57 days in 1982 | website=New York Daily News | date=November 16, 2015 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2015/11/16/nfl-strike-ends-after-57-days-in-1982/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="d560">{{cite web | last=Wojciechowski | first=Gene | title=NFL STRIKE : 1982 : A History Lesson Not Learned | website=Los Angeles Times | date=September 23, 1987 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-23-sp-6303-story.html | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> Because of the shortened season, the NFL adopted a special 16-team playoff tournament, in which eight teams from each conference were seeded 1–8 based on their regular season records. After the strike was settled, the Redskins dominated, winning six out of the seven remaining games to make the playoffs for the first time since 1976.<ref name="seasonresults" />

In January 1983, during the second round of the [[1982–83 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] against the [[Minnesota Vikings]], [[John Riggins]] rushed for franchise playoff record 185 yards, leading Washington to a 21–7 win.<ref name="w459">{{cite web | last=Lambert | first=Ivan | title=John Riggins took a bow for the RFK fans in the 82 playoffs | website=Yahoo! Money | date=January 21, 2023 | url=https://money.yahoo.com/john-riggins-took-bow-rfk-140000145.html | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> The game is perhaps best known for a moment when the stadium physically shook as a crowd chanted "We Want Dallas!", which later became a rallying cry of sorts for Redskin fans before games against the Cowboys.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=November 21, 2016 |title=Redskins fans are back to chanting 'We Want Dallas' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/11/21/redskins-fans-are-back-to-chanting-we-want-dallas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055514/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/11/21/redskins-fans-are-back-to-chanting-we-want-dallas/ |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In the NFC Championship Game against them at [[RFK Stadium]], Redskins defensive end [[Dexter Manley]] knocked Cowboys' quarterback [[Danny White]] out for the rest of the game and sent him into the locker room shortly before halftime. Later in the game, Redskins defensive tackle [[Darryl Grant]]'s interception, which he returned for a 10-yard touchdown, off one of Cowboys' backup quarterback [[Gary Hogeboom]]'s passes which was tipped by Dexter Manley to score the decisive points. John Riggins rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries and the Redskins went on to defeat the Cowboys' by a score of 31–17.<ref name="eighties" /> The Redskins' first [[Super Bowl]] win, and their first NFL Championship in 40 years, was in [[Super Bowl XVII]], where the Redskins defeated the [[Miami Dolphins]] 27–17.<ref name="playoffs" /> Riggins provided the game's signature play when, on 4th and inches, with the Redskins down 17–13, the coaches called "70 Chip", a play designed for short yardage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Denlinger |first=Ken |date=January 31, 1982 |title=Magic '70 Chip' Ends Four Decades of Trying |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/gibbs/82sbowl.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531050503/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/gibbs/82sbowl.htm |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Riggins instead gained {{convert|43|yd|abbr=off|sp=us}} by running through would-be tackler [[Don McNeal]] and getting the go-ahead touchdown. The Redskins ended up winning by a 27–17 score with John Riggins winning the [[Super Bowl MVP]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XVII - Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins - January 30th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301300mia.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="t732">{{cite web | last=Kimes | first=Mina | title=NFL 100 | website=NFL.com | url=https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/games-73 | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>

After the [[1982 Washington Redskins season|1982 season]] Redskins placekicker [[Mark Moseley]] was the first and only placekicker in NFL history to be named the [[List of NFL Most Valuable Player awards|NFL's Most Valuable Player]];<ref name="g201">{{cite web | last=Morse | first=Ben | title=Mark Moseley became the first player in his position to win the NFL MVP. He thinks the feat will never be matched | website=CNN | date=February 8, 2023 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/08/sport/mark-moseley-1982-mvp-nfl-spt-intl/index.html | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> Moseley made 20 of 21 field goals attempted in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Moseley 1982 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/moselmar01/gamelog/1982/ |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Redskins head coach [[Joe Gibbs]] also won his first [[NFL Coach of the Year]] award in 1982, which was the first of his back-to-back NFL Coach of the Year awards, his second coming in the [[1983 NFL season]].<ref name="x479">{{cite web | last=Pitts | first=Brian | title=40 years ago: It's true, Joe Gibbs is a native of Mocksville | website=Davie County Enterprise Record | date=June 6, 2023 | url=https://www.ourdavie.com/2023/06/06/40-years-ago-its-true-joe-gibbs-is-a-native-of-mocksville/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>

Cornerback [[Darrell Green]] and defensive end [[Charles Mann (American football)|Charles Mann]] were selected in the [[1983 NFL draft]] and became key contributors for the team; Green would play his entire 20-year career with the Redskins. On October 1, 1983, the Redskins lost to the [[1983 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] 48–47 in the highest-scoring [[History of Monday Night Football|Monday night football game in history]], in which both teams combine for more than {{convert|1000|yd}} of total offense.<ref name="eighties" /> Then during the regular-season finale on December 17, 1983, Moseley set an NFL scoring record with 161 points while Riggins' total of 144 points was second. This marked the first time since 1951 that the top two scorers in a season played on the same team.<ref name="eighties" /> They dominated the NFL with a 14-win season which included scoring a then NFL record 541 points,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 Washington Redskins |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1983.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410203729/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1983.htm |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=Pro Football Reference}}</ref> many of which came from Riggins, who scored 24 touchdowns. Redskins quarterback [[Joe Theismann]] would also be named the 1983 NFL's Most Valuable Player finishing the season with a career-high in both yards passing 3,714 yds., and touchdown passes thrown, 29 Td's while throwing only 11 interceptions. In the postseason, the Redskins beat the [[1983 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] 51–7.<ref name="playoffs" /> The next week, Washington beat the [[1983 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] 24–21 in the [[NFC Championship Game]].<ref name="playoffs" /> It was their final win of the season because two weeks later, the [[1983 Los Angeles Raiders season|Raiders]] beat the Redskins 38–9 in [[Super Bowl XVIII]].<ref name="playoffs" />

The Redskins finished the [[1984 Washington Redskins season|1984 season]] with an {{Win-loss record|w=11|l=5}} record,<ref name="seasonresults" /> and won the NFC East for the third consecutive season.<ref name="eighties" /> However, they lost in the first round of the [[1984–85 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] to the [[Chicago Bears]], 23–19.<ref name="playoffs" /> On November 18, 1985, while playing against the [[1985 New York Giants season|Giants]], Theismann broke his leg during a sack by [[Lawrence Taylor]]. The [[Bone fracture|compound fracture]] forced him to retire after a 12-year career, during which he became the Redskins' all-time leader in pass attempts and completions.<ref name="eighties" /> The Redskins finished 3rd in the NFC East behind the [[1985 Dallas Cowboys season|Cowboys]] and missed the wild card to the Giants by virtue of [[tiebreakers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1985.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/index.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

The 1986 offseason's major highlight occurred during the [[1986 NFL draft]], when the Redskins picked up future Super Bowl MVP [[Mark Rypien]] in the sixth round, also the Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley set a franchise single-season record when he recorded 18.5 sacks while earning [[All-Pro]] honors. In [[1986 Washington Redskins season|1986 season]], the Redskins making the postseason as a wild-card team despite having a regular-season record of {{Win-loss record|w=12|l=4}}.<ref name="seasonresults" /> They won the Wild Card playoff against the Rams, and then again in the Divisional playoffs against the Bears. This game was Gibbs's 70th career, which made him the winningest head coach in Redskins history.<ref name="eighties" /> The season ended next week, however, when the Redskins lost to the eventual [[Super Bowl XXI]] Champion Giants 17–0 in the NFC Championship game.<ref name="playoffs" /><ref name="eighties" />

===== Super Bowl XXII champions (1987) =====
{{Main|1987 Washington Redskins season}}
The [[1987 NFL season]] began with a [[1987 NFL strike|players' strike]] that reduced the 16-game season to 15.<ref name="b433">{{cite web | last=Merrill | first=Elizabeth | title=NFL replacements part of history | website=ESPN.com | date=June 9, 2011 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=6642330 | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> No Redskins players crossed the picket line—the only such team—and the games for Weeks 4–6 were won with all-replacement squads.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2004 |title=Gibbs' first job is to tame Snyder |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2004-01-08-brennan-gibbs_x.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806105637/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2004-01-08-brennan-gibbs_x.htm |archive-date=August 6, 2007 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=USA Today}}</ref> Those three victories, often credited with getting the team into the playoffs, are the basis for the 2000 movie ''[[The Replacements (film)|The Replacements]]''. The Redskins won their second championship in [[Super Bowl XXII]] on January 31, 1988, in San Diego, California. The Redskins routed the [[1987 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] 42–10<ref name="playoffs" /> after starting the game down 10–0, the largest come-from-behind victory in Super Bowl history, which was tied by the [[New Orleans Saints]] in [[Super Bowl XLIV]] and the [[New England Patriots]] in [[Super Bowl XLIX]]. This game is also noted for [[Super Bowl MVP]] quarterback [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]], who threw four touchdowns in the second quarter en route to becoming the first black quarterback to lead his team to a championship,<ref name="williams">{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1998 |title=Williams Delivers a Super Bowl Triumph |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1997/history/allart/87sbowl.htm |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513164619/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1997/history/allart/87sbowl.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref> and for rookie running back [[Timmy Smith]], who ran for a Super Bowl-record {{convert|204|yd}}.<ref name="williams" />

In [[1988 Washington Redskins season|1988]], the team missed the playoffs with a {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=9}} record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1988.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[1989 Washington Redskins season|1989]] Redskins finished with a {{Win-loss record|w=10|l=6}} record but missed the playoffs. The team is best remembered for [[List of NFL nicknames|"The Posse"]]—[[Art Monk]], [[Gary Clark (American football)|Gary Clark]], and [[Ricky Sanders]]—the first trio of NFL wide receivers to post more than 1,000 yards apiece in a single season. Also, Redskins head coach [[Joe Gibbs]] achieved his 100th career victory in a week-14 win against the [[San Diego Chargers]]. The Redskins returned to the [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] in [[1990 Washington Redskins season|1990]] as a Wild Card team, but lost in the Divisional round to the [[1990 San Francisco 49ers season|49ers]].<ref name="playoffs" />

===== Super Bowl XXVI champions (1991) =====
[[File:Commanders' three Vince Lombardi Trophy, 2023.jpg|thumb|Washington's three [[Vince Lombardi Trophy|Vince Lombardi Trophies]] at the team's [[Ashburn, Virginia]], headquarters]]
{{Main|1991 Washington Redskins season}}
The [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991 season]] started with a franchise-record 11 straight wins.<ref name="nineties">{{Cite web |title=The 1990s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/1990-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com }}</ref> "[[The Hogs (American football)|The Hogs]]", under the coaching of Redskins offensive line coach [[Joe Bugel]], allowed a franchise-record nine sacks, the third-lowest total in NFL history.<ref name="nineties" /> The offense also dominated under head football coach [[Joe Gibbs]], scoring 485 points, more than any other team [[1991 NFL season|that year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/index.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The defense was also dominant under defensive coordinator [[Richie Petitbon]], giving up 224 total points, second-best of any team that year, while holding opponents scoreless three times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/opp.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1991.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After posting a {{Win-loss record|w=14|l=2}} record, the Redskins dominated the [[1991–92 NFL playoffs|playoffs]], beating the [[1991 Atlanta Falcons season|Falcons]] and [[1991 Detroit Lions season|Lions]] by a combined score of 64–17.<ref name="playoffs" /> On January 26, 1992, the Redskins won [[Super Bowl XXVI]] by defeating the [[Buffalo Bills]] 37–24;<ref name="playoffs" /> QB [[Mark Rypien]] won the [[Super Bowl MVP]] award.<ref name="a547">{{cite web | last=Shoot | first=Jason | title='It feels like yesterday': Mark Rypien looks back 30 years to his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance | website=Spokesman.com | date=February 13, 2022 | url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/feb/13/it-feels-like-yesterday-mark-rypien-looks-back-30-/ | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> After the Super Bowl, the Redskins set another franchise record by sending eight players to the [[Pro Bowl]].<ref name="nineties" /> The [[1991 Washington Redskins]] are widely considered one of the best teams in NFL history.<ref name="k005">{{cite web | title=Football Outsiders Ranks 1991 Redskins As The Best Team Of Last 30 Years | website=Commanders.com | date=June 22, 2017 | url=https://www.commanders.com/news/football-outsiders-ranks-1991-redskins-as-the-best-team-of-last-30-year-18988677 | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

In [[1992 Washington Redskins season|1992]], the Redskins reached the playoffs as a wild-card team, but lost in the [[1992–93 NFL playoffs#NFC: San Francisco 49ers 20, Washington Redskins 13|Divisional playoffs]] to the [[1992 San Francisco 49ers season|49ers]], 20–13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings - January 2nd, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301020min.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers - January 9th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301090sfo.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On October 12, 1992, [[Art Monk]] became the NFL's all-time leading pass receiver by catching his 820th career reception against the [[1992 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] on ''[[Monday Night Football]]''.<ref name="nineties" /> The era ended on March 5, 1993, when Gibbs retired after 12 years of coaching with the Redskins.<ref name="nineties" /> Gibbs later founded [[Joe Gibbs Racing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile and History |url=http://www.joegibbsracing.com/joegibbs/prhist.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308060033/http://www.joegibbsracing.com/joegibbs/prhist.php |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |website=Joe Gibbs Racing}}</ref>

After the end of Gibbs' first tenure, the Redskins hired former Redskins player [[Richie Petitbon]] for the [[1993 Washington Redskins season|1993 season]]. However, his first and only year as head coach, the [[1993 Washington Redskins season|Redskins]] finished with a record of {{Win-loss record|w=4|l=12}}.<ref name="seasonresults" /> Petitbon was fired at the end of the season and on February 2, 1994, [[Norv Turner]] was hired as head coach after being the [[offensive coordinator]] of the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref name="nineties" /> [[1994 Washington Redskins season|1994]] was even worse as they finished {{Win-loss record|w=3|l=13}}, their worst season in over 30 years. Their sole bright spot that year came on October 9, 1994, linebacker [[Monte Coleman]] played in his 206th career game with the Redskins, which broke Art Monk's team record for games played (Coleman retired at season's end with 216 games played).<ref name="nineties" /> They improved to {{Win-loss record|w=6|l=10}} in [[1995 Washington Redskins season|1995]] where they were able to get a season sweep on the eventual [[Super Bowl XXX]] Champions the Dallas Cowboys. On March 13, 1996, Redskins owner [[Jack Kent Cooke]], [[Maryland Governor]] [[Parris Glendening]], and [[List of Prince George's County Executives#County executive and council|Prince George's County Executive]] [[Wayne K. Curry]] signed a contract that paved the way for the immediate start of construction for the new home of the Redskins (now Northwest Stadium).<ref name="nineties" /> The [[1996 Washington Redskins season|1996 season]] saw Washington post their first winning record in 4 years by finishing {{Win-loss record|w=9|l=7}}. On December 22, 1996, the Redskins played their final game at [[RFK Stadium]], a victory over the [[1996 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 37–10, and finished their tenure at the stadium with a {{Win-loss record|w=173|l=102|t=3}} record, including {{Win-loss record|w=11|l=1}} in the playoffs.<ref name="nineties" />

On April 6, 1997, Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke died of [[congestive heart failure]] at the age of 84.<ref name="nineties" /> In his will, Cooke left the Redskins to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, with instructions to sell the team. In the meantime, management of the team was given to son and executive vice president John Kent Cooke.<ref name="nineties" /><ref>{{cite web |title=1998 Redskins Media Guide |url=https://archive.org/details/redskins-1998-media-guide-washington-c/page/6/mode/2up |website=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Washington Redskins |access-date=June 17, 2024 |page=6 |format=PDF |date=1998}}</ref> On September 14, 1997, the Redskins played in their new stadium for the first time and beat the [[1997 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]], 19–13 in overtime.<ref name="nineties" /> On November 23, 1997, they played the [[1997 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] and the result was a 7–7 tie, the Redskins first tie game since the [[1971 Washington Redskins season|1971 season]]. They would finish [[1997 Washington Redskins season|1997]] {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=7|t=1}} and would miss the [[1997–98 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] for the fifth season in a row. Cornerback [[Darrell Green]] would break Monte Coleman's record for games played with the team during the season.<ref name="nineties" /> The [[1998 Washington Redskins season|1998 season]] started with a seven-game losing streak,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Washington Redskins |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1998-was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516043224/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1998-was |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |publisher=Football @ JT-SW}}</ref> and the Redskins finished with a {{Win-loss record|w=6|l=10}} record.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Washington Redskins 1998 Season Recap |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1998/98recap.htm}}</ref>

===Daniel Snyder era (1999–2023)===
[[File:Dan Snyder Washington Commanders Reveal (51858871386) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|[[Daniel Snyder]], the team's owner from 1999 until 2023, is considered to be one of the worst owners in the history of professional sports.]]
On May 25, 1999, Cooke sold the Redskins to local businessman [[Daniel Snyder]] for $800 million after being unable to raise sufficient funds to keep the team.<ref name="nineties" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=April 27, 1999 |title=Redskins Are Sold For $800 Million |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E3D9153DF934A15757C0A96F958260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904091401/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/27/sports/plus-pro-football-washington-redskins-are-sold-for-800-million.html |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=April 5, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Snyder sold the naming rights to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to [[FedEx]] in November 1999, becoming [[FedExField]].<ref name="nineties" />

In Snyder's first [[1999 NFL season|season]] as owner, the Redskins went {{Win-loss record|w=10|l=6}},<ref name="seasonresults" /> including a four-game winning streak early in the season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Washington Redskins |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1999-was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516030422/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1999-was |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |publisher=Football @ JT-SW}}</ref> and made it to the playoffs for the first time in [[Norv Turner]]'s career (and the first time for the Redskins since [[1992 Washington Redskins season|1992]]) in the final game of the season (on January 2, 2000, against the [[1999 Miami Dolphins season|Dolphins]]). Running back [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]] rushed for a then franchise record 1,405 yards and quarterback [[Brad Johnson (American football)|Brad Johnson]] completed a then franchise record 316 passes and threw for more than 4,000 yards in regular play that season.<ref name="twothousand">{{Cite web |title=The 2000s–History by the Decades |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/2000-by-the-decade |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=Commanders.com }}</ref> They then defeated the [[Detroit Lions]] in the first round of the [[1999–2000 NFL playoffs|playoffs]], but lost to the [[1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers]], 14–13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - January 8th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001080was.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - January 15th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001150tam.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2000 NFL season|2000 season]] started with the selection of future [[Pro Bowl]]er [[Chris Samuels]] and the tumultuous [[LaVar Arrington]] in the [[2000 NFL draft]] and included five consecutive wins in the first half of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 Washington Redskins |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2000-was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515233631/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2000-was |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |publisher=Football @ JT-SW}}</ref> However, they ended up going {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=6}} with Turner being fired as head coach prior to the end of the season.<ref name="twothousand" /> [[Terry Robiskie]] was named interim coach to finish out the season,<ref name="twothousand" /> which ended with an {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=8}} record.<ref name="seasonresults" /> During the final game of the season, [[Larry Centers]] became the NFL's all-time leader in receptions by a [[running back]] with 685.<ref name="twothousand" />

On January 3, 2001, the Redskins hired former [[Cleveland Browns]] and [[Kansas City Chiefs]] head coach [[Marty Schottenheimer]] for the same role.<ref name="twothousand" /> The [[2001 Washington Redskins season|2001 season]] began with a loss to the [[2001 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], 30–3, two days before the [[September 11, 2001, attacks]]. On September 13, 2001, the Redskins announced the establishment of the Redskins Relief Fund to help families of the victims of the attack at the Pentagon. During the course of the season, the Redskins raised more than $700,000.<ref name="twothousand" /> They finished the season with an {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=8}} record<ref name="seasonresults" /> and Schottenheimer was fired after the final game. Snyder later said in a 2013 interview that he was fired due to his over-controlling nature.<ref>{{Cite news |title=DC Sports Bog |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/01/29/dan-snyder-says-he-fired-vinny-cerrato-for-letting-him-hire-jim-zorn/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007001127/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/01/29/dan-snyder-says-he-fired-vinny-cerrato-for-letting-him-hire-jim-zorn/ |archive-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref>

On January 14, 2002, Snyder hired [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]] coach [[Steve Spurrier]],<ref name="twothousand" /> the Redskins' fifth head coach in 10 years. They finished with a {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=9}} record, their first losing season in four years.<ref name="seasonresults" /> A bittersweet moment during the season occurred on December 29, when [[Darrell Green]] concluded his 20th and final season as the Redskins defeated the [[2002 Dallas Cowboys season|Cowboys]] 20–14 at FedExField. During his 20 seasons, he set an NFL record for consecutive seasons with at least one interception (19) and a Redskins team record for regular-season games played (295) and started (258).<ref name="twothousand" /> The Redskins finished the [[2003 Washington Redskins season|2003 season]] with a {{Win-loss record|w=5|l=11}} record, their worst since [[1994 Washington Redskins season|1994]].<ref name="seasonresults" /> After two mediocre years, Spurrier resigned after the 2003 season with three years left on his contract.<ref name="i844">{{cite web | last=White | first=Joseph | title=Amid confusion, Spurrier resigns as Redskins coach | website=Gainesville Sun | date=December 30, 2003 | url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2003/12/30/amid-confusion-spurrier-resigns-as-redskins-coach/31654345007/ | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

For the [[2004 Washington Redskins season|2004 season]], Snyder hired former coach [[Joe Gibbs]] to return as head coach and team president.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2004 |title=Gibbs' deal more lucrative than Spurrier's |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1702079 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613211933/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1702079 |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |access-date=December 27, 2007 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Gibbs' return to the franchise did not pay instant dividends as the Redskins finished the 2004 season with a record of {{Win-loss record|w=6|l=10}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2004.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Despite an impressive defense, the team struggled offensively. Quarterback [[Mark Brunell]]—an off-season acquisition from the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]—struggled in his first season, and was replaced midway through the season by backup [[Patrick Ramsey]]. On the other hand, some of Gibbs' other new signings, such as cornerback [[Shawn Springs]] and [[linebacker]] [[Marcus Washington]], did very well. The Redskins also selected [[Sean Taylor]] during the first draft in Gibbs' return.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Washington Redskins Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2004_draft.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2005 Washington Redskins season|2005 season]] started with three wins,<ref name="twothousandfive">{{Cite web |title=2005 Washington Redskins |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2005-was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516030736/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2005-was |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |work=Football @ JT-SW}}</ref> including a win on September 19 against the [[2005 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]. Dallas led 13–0 with less than four minutes left when Brunell threw a {{convert|39|yd|adj=on}} touchdown pass to Moss on a fourth-down play. Then, with 2:44 left, Brunell connected with Moss again on a {{convert|70|yd|adj=on}} touchdown pass and [[Nick Novak]] kicked the game-winning extra point. It was the Redskins' first victory at [[Texas Stadium]] since [[1995 Washington Redskins season|1995]].<ref name="twothousand" /> They then fell into a slump, losing six of the next eight games which included three straight losses in November,<ref name="twothousandfive" /> and their playoff chances looked bleak. On December 18, 2005, the Redskins beat Cowboys, 35–7, which marked the first time since 1995 that the Redskins swept the season series with Dallas.<ref name="twothousand" /> The Redskins clinched their first playoff berth since [[1999 Washington Redskins season|1999]].<ref name="twothousand" /> The game also culminated impressive season performances by individuals. Portis set a team mark for most rushing yards in a single season with {{convert|1516|yd}}, and Moss set a team record for most receiving yards in a single season with {{convert|1483|yd}}, breaking [[Bobby Mitchell]]'s previous record set in [[1963 Washington Redskins season|1963]].<ref name="twothousand" /> Also, [[Chris Cooley]]'s 71 receptions broke [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]]'s season record for a Redskins tight end. In the first round of the [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|playoffs]], the Redskins met the [[2005 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers]].<ref name="twothousand" /> The Redskins won 17–10,<ref name="playoffs" /> after taking an early 14–0 lead, which they thought they lost until replay showed that a touchdown, which would have tied the game, was an incomplete pass. In that game, the Redskins broke the record for fewest offensive yards (120) gained in a playoff victory, with one of their two touchdowns being from a defensive run after a fumble recovery. The following weekend, they played the [[2005 Seattle Seahawks season|Seahawks]], who defeated the Redskins 20–10,<ref name="playoffs" /><ref name="twothousand" /> ending their hopes of reaching their first NFC Championship Game since [[1991–92 NFL playoffs#NFC: Washington Redskins 41, Detroit Lions 10|1991]].<ref name="playoffs" />

The first major move of the 2006 off-season was the hiring of [[Kansas City Chiefs]]' offensive coordinator [[Al Saunders]] as [[offensive coordinator]]. Gibbs also added former [[Buffalo Bills]] defensive coordinator [[Jerry Gray]] to his staff as secondary/cornerbacks coach and lost quarterbacks coach [[Bill Musgrave]] to the [[Atlanta Falcons|Falcons]]. The Redskins also picked up future starters [[Rocky McIntosh]], [[Anthony Montgomery (American football)|Anthony Montgomery]], [[Reed Doughty]], and [[Kedric Golston]] in the [[2006 NFL draft]]. After winning only three of the first nine games,<ref name="twothousandsix">{{Cite web |title=2006 Washington Redskins |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2006-was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127121235/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2006-was |archive-date=January 27, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |work=Football @ JT-SW}}</ref> Gibbs benched quarterback Brunell for former first-round draft pick [[Jason Campbell]]. After losing his first game as a starter to [[2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay]], Campbell got his first NFL victory against the [[2006 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]], bringing the Redskins out of a three-game losing streak.<ref name="twothousandsix" /> The highlight of the season happened on November 5, and concluded with one of the most exciting endings in the history of the [[Cowboys–Redskins rivalry]]. Tied 19–19, [[Troy Vincent]] blocked a last-second field goal attempt by [[2006 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas]] that would have given them the win. Sean Taylor picked up the ball and ran {{convert|30|yd}}, breaking tackles along the way. It was thought that the game would then go in overtime, however because of a defensive {{convert|15|yd|adj=on}} face mask penalty, the Redskins would get an untimed down. Novak kicked a {{convert|47|yd|adj=on}} field goal, giving Washington a 22–19 victory.<ref name="twothousand" /> However, the Redskins finished the year with a {{Win-loss record|w=5|l=11}} record, which resulted in them being last in the [[NFC East]]. This marked the second losing season of Joe Gibbs' second term as head coach with the Redskins, compared to the one losing season he had in his first 12-year tenure as head coach.
[[File:Sean Taylor.jpg|thumb|[[Sean Taylor]], the team's first-round draft choice in 2004, died after being shot by home invaders in 2007. His jersey number 21 was later retired by the team.]]
The Redskins began the [[2007 Washington Redskins season|2007 season]] by "winning ugly" starting the season off 2–0. The Redskins kept winning and losing close games, the only exception to this a 34–3 rout of the [[2007 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]. The Redskins continued to win ugly and lose ugly to be 5–3 at the halfway mark. However, the Redskins would begin to collapse. The team lost their next three games to fall to 5–6. On Monday, November 26, Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot by home intruders early in the morning in his Miami home. The next morning, Taylor died from severe blood loss.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Jarrett |last2=Wood |first2=Skip |last3=Mihoces |first3=Gary |last4=Leinwand |first4=Donna |date=November 28, 2007 |title=Death of Redskins' Sean Taylor stuns team, NFL |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-27-taylor-death_N.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223080348/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-27-taylor-death_N.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2009 |access-date=May 27, 2010 |work=USA Today}}</ref> However, the Redskins rebounded to finish 9–7 and clinch the final [[2007–08 NFL playoffs|playoff]] spot in the NFC. Washington trailed 13–0 entering the 4th quarter to the [[2007 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in the wild-card round, but rallied to take a 14–13 lead, but Redskins kicker [[Shaun Suisham]] missed a field goal later in the game, and the Seahawks scored on the next drive and converted the [[two-point conversion]]. To close the game, Todd Collins threw two interceptions, each returned for a touchdown, and the Redskins fell 35–14.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks - January 5th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801050sea.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

After Joe Gibbs announced his retirement following the 2007 season, [[Jim Zorn]] was hired as head coach and brought in a [[West Coast Offense]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2008 |title=Gibbs retires as coach, president of Redskins |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3186165 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2008 |title=Skins introduce hopeful Zorn as head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3238678 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> The [[2008 Washington Redskins season|2008 season]] started well, as the Redskins started the season 6–2. Furthermore, Redskins RB [[Clinton Portis]] led the NFL in rushing yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/rushing.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> However, things turned for the worse in early November, when they were routed 23–6 by the [[2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] and Portis' injuries finally caught up to him. The Redskins continued to struggle, falling all the way to 7–7, with their only win during that six-week period being a 3-point victory of the then-2–8 [[2008 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]. The Redskins managed to upset the [[2008 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] in Week 16, but were eliminated from playoff contention. The team's fortunes continued to slide in [[2009 Washington Redskins season|2009]], as they finished {{Win-loss record|w=4|l=12}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2009.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Zorn was fired and replaced by [[Mike Shanahan]] after the season.<ref name="z496">{{cite web | last=Battista | first=Judy | title=Redskins Meet With Shanahan After Firing Zorn | website=The New York Times | date=January 5, 2010 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/sports/football/05nfl.html | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name="m554">{{cite web | last=Schefter | first=Adam | title=Shanahan signs 5-year contract with Redskins | website=ESPN.com | date=January 6, 2010 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4799532 | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

On April 4, the Redskins acquired quarterback [[Donovan McNabb]] in a trade from the rival [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2010 |title=Eagles trade McNabb to Redskins for picks |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5055346 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> However, the Redskins struggled to a {{Win-loss record|w=6|l=10}} finish, once again 4th place in the division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2010.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The McNabb era came to an abrupt end when he was traded to Minnesota in August 2011.<ref name="b045">{{cite web | title=Vikings deal for McNabb | website=The Augusta Chronicle | date=July 28, 2011 | url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/sports/nfl/2011/07/28/vikings-deal-mcnabb/14531689007/ | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> After cutting the injury-rattled Clinton Portis, the Redskins had no important offensive players left except for Santana Moss. Mike Shanahan surprised most observers by his decision to name [[John Beck (gridiron football)|John Beck]], an obscure free-agent quarterback, as the starter.<ref name="s671">{{cite web | last=Shiferaw | first=Daniel | title=Mike Shanahan Talks About His Decision To Name John Beck Washington Redskins Starting Quarterback | website=SB Nation DC | date=October 19, 2011 | url=https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/19/2501322/washington-redskins-mike-shanahan-john-beck-named-starter | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> However, Shanahan suddenly reversed direction by naming veteran backup [[Rex Grossman]] to the starting position.<ref name="q303">{{cite web | title=Shanahan confirms Grossman is Redskins' starter | website=NBC Sports | date=September 5, 2011 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/shanahan-confirms-grossman-is-redskins-starter | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> In Week 1, Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdown passes as the Redskins crushed the Giants 28–14, ending a six-game losing streak against that team. The Washington Redskins started the season 2–0, but then struggled to a {{Win-loss record|w=5|l=11}} finish, however, they managed to win both meetings over the eventual [[Super Bowl XLVI|Super Bowl]] champion [[2011 New York Giants season|New York Giants]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2011.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:RG3 2014.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback [[Robert Griffin III]], the team's first-round draft choice in 2012, was named [[Offensive Rookie of the Year]] after leading the team to their first division title since 1999.]]
In [[2012 Washington Redskins season|2012]], the Redskins traded several high draft picks to the [[St. Louis Rams]] in order to take Baylor quarterback [[Robert Griffin III]] second overall in the [[2012 NFL draft]].<ref name="z551">{{cite web | last=Schefter | first=Adam | title=Redskins acquire No. 2 pick from Rams | website=ESPN.com | date=March 10, 2012 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7668243/washington-redskins-acquire-no-2-overall-pick-st-louis-rams | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name="o642">{{cite magazine | last=Nieves | first=Alex | title=A look back at the infamous RGIII trade | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=January 11, 2016 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/11/washington-redskins-st-louis-rams-robert-griffin-trade-players | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> Although the need for a franchise quarterback was obvious, many journalists had doubts about the value of giving up a lot for a single player. In the opening game of the season, Griffin threw for 320 yards and two touchdown passes in a 40–32 victory over the [[2012 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] to give the team its highest-scoring game since 2005. The Redskins struggled to a 3–6 start, but in Week 11, the Redskins would host the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Griffin would have one of the best games of his career to date, as the Redskins won 31–6 with long touchdowns to Santana Moss and Aldrick Robinson. The Redskins would win their next 6 games after that, including the crucial final game of the season against the Cowboys, which would clinch the division for and send the Redskins to the playoffs. The Redskins hosted the [[2012 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in the Wild Card round but lost 24–14.<ref name="j564">{{cite web | title=Seahawks come back from 14-0 deficit to beat Redskins; RG3 hurt | website=NFL.com | date=January 6, 2013 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/seahawks-come-back-from-14-0-deficit-to-beat-redskins-rg3-hurt-0ap1000000123322 | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

Hopes were high for a repeat division title in [[2013 Washington Redskins season|2013]]. However, these hopes were in vain, as poor play and controversy stirred during the entire year, leading to a {{Win-loss record|w=3|l=13}} record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2013.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Even though most players had a down year compared to 2012, [[Pierre Garçon]] had his greatest season statistically yet. Garcon broke [[Art Monk]]'s 29-year-old franchise record for catches in a single season. Garcon had 113 catches total, which broke Monk's 106 catches in [[1984 Washington Redskins season|1984]] by seven.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maske |first=Mark |date=December 22, 2013 |title=Pierre Garçon breaks Art Monk's Redskins record for catches in a season |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/12/22/pierre-garcon-breaks-art-monks-redskins-record-for-catches-in-a-season/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229134644/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/12/22/pierre-garcon-breaks-art-monks-redskins-record-for-catches-in-a-season/ |archive-date=December 29, 2013}}</ref> The Redskins fired Shanahan and most of his staff after the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelissero |first=Tom |date=December 30, 2013 |title=Reskins Fire Coach Mike Shanahan |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/redskins/2013/12/30/mike-shanahan-fired-washington/4248213/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231033412/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/redskins/2013/12/30/mike-shanahan-fired-washington/4248213/ |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2013 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

On January 9, [[2014 Washington Redskins season|2014]], the Redskins hired [[Jay Gruden]] as their head coach. Gruden became the eighth head coach of the team since Daniel Snyder purchased the franchise in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maske |first=Mark |date=January 9, 2014 |title=Jay Gruden hired as Redskins coach |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jay-gruden-hired-as-redskins-coach/2014/01/09/084fab48-7938-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518125942/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jay-gruden-hired-as-redskins-coach/2014/01/09/084fab48-7938-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> The Redskins struggled throughout the season, having three different quarterbacks start games, amounting to a {{Win-loss record|w=4|l=12}} record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2014.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Defensive coordinator [[Jim Haslett]] was fired at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=December 31, 2014 |title=Jim Haslett out as Redskins defensive coordinator |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jim-haslett-out-as-redskins-defensive-coordinator/2014/12/31/bed7d63e-9119-11e4-a412-4b735edc7175_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105112850/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jim-haslett-out-as-redskins-defensive-coordinator/2014/12/31/bed7d63e-9119-11e4-a412-4b735edc7175_story.html |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

In [[2015 Washington Redskins season|2015]], the Redskins hired [[Scot McCloughan]] to be their general manager, with [[Bruce Allen (American football)|Bruce Allen]] serving as team president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=January 7, 2015 |title=Washington Redskins make Scot McCloughan GM |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-redskins-make-scot-mccloughan-gm-0ap3000000454845 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108002100/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000454845/article/washington-redskins-make-scot-mccloughan-gm |archive-date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> In October 2015, the Redskins had their largest comeback win in franchise history, coming back to win against the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] 31–30 after being down 0–24 in the second quarter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Liz |date=October 25, 2015 |title=Kirk Cousins powers Redskins' rally from down 24 to beat Bucs, 31–30 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/kirk-cousins-powers-redskins-rally-from-down-24-to-beat-bucs-31-30/2015/10/25/c5861408-7b53-11e5-b575-d8dcfedb4ea1_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026205732/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/kirk-cousins-powers-redskins-rally-from-down-24-to-beat-bucs-31-30/2015/10/25/c5861408-7b53-11e5-b575-d8dcfedb4ea1_story.html |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=October 25, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> The Redskins clinched the NFC East division title on December 26, when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, 38–24.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ortega |first=Mark |date=December 26, 2015 |title=Redskins clinch NFC East with banner win over Eagles |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-clinch-nfc-east-with-banner-win-over-eagles-0ap3000000609396 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227070828/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000609396/article/redskins-clinch-nfc-east-with-win-over-eagles |archive-date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> The division title was their third since Snyder took over ownership of the team, and was the first since the [[1999 Washington Redskins season|1999 season]] to be clinched before Week 17. The Redskins hosted the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the Wild Card round on January 10, 2016, but lost 35–18, ending their 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McMillan |first=Keith |date=January 10, 2016 |title=Packers at Redskins game day: Green Bay ends Washington's season, 35–18 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/01/09/packers-at-redskins-game-day-thread/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110094711/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/01/09/packers-at-redskins-game-day-thread/ |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> [[Kirk Cousins]], who took over as starting quarterback in the preseason, finished the season with career highs in touchdowns (29), yards (4,166), and completion percentage (69.8%). His completion percentage led the league, while his 29 touchdowns tied him for second on the franchise single-season list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirk Cousins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CousKi00.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404184306/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CousKi00.htm |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |access-date=August 10, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

The team's offense in [[2016 Washington Redskins season|2016]] set several franchise records, including having over 6,000 total net yards, which was only the third time in franchise history the team had accomplished that.<ref name="2016 offensive records">{{Cite web |last=Lewis Jr. |first=Lake |date=January 3, 2017 |title=2016 Redskins offense rewrote franchise record books |url=http://redskinswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/03/2016-redskins-offense-rewrote-franchise-record-books/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106102653/http://redskinswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/03/2016-redskins-offense-rewrote-franchise-record-books/ |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |website=USA Today}}</ref> Quarterback Kirk Cousins also set single-season team records in attempts, completions, and passing yards, breaking many of his records he had previously set in 2015.<ref name="2016 offensive records" /> [[DeSean Jackson]], Pierre Garçon, [[Jamison Crowder]], [[Robert Kelley (American football)|Robert Kelley]], [[Chris Thompson (running back)|Chris Thompson]], [[Jordan Reed]], [[Vernon Davis]], and [[Matt Jones (running back)|Matt Jones]] all finished the season with at least 500 yards from scrimmage, tying the [[2011 New Orleans Saints]] for the most in a single season in NFL history.<ref name="2016 offensive records" /> Despite the numerous records set, the Redskins missed the playoffs, losing 19–10 in a "win and in" situation against the New York Giants in the final week of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Lorenzo |date=January 1, 2017 |title=Giants knock Redskins out of playoff contention |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2017/01/01/washington-redskins-new-york-nfc-east-playoffs/96070204/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518061351/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2017/01/01/washington-redskins-new-york-nfc-east-playoffs/96070204/ |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |website=USA Today}}</ref> However, the Redskins still finished the season with a record of {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=7|t=1}}, giving the team their first consecutive winning seasons in nearly 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2017 |title=First back-to-back winning record for Redskins since 1997 |url=http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-redskins/first-back-back-winning-record-redskins-1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106114718/http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-redskins/first-back-back-winning-record-redskins-1997 |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |website=CSN Mid-Atlantic}}</ref> In contrast with the record setting offense, the team's defense had a poor season, finishing 29 out of 32 teams in total defense, which led to the firing of [[defensive coordinator]] [[Joe Barry]], as well as three of his assistants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Ryan |title=Redskins fire four coaches, including defensive coordinator Joe Barry |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/redskins-fire-four-coaches-including-defensive-coordinator-joe-barry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106105303/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/redskins-fire-four-coaches-including-defensive-coordinator-joe-barry/ |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |work=CBS Sports|date=January 5, 2017 }}</ref> In [[2017 Washington Redskins season|2017]], Cousins had his third straight season with 4,000 passing yards while once again playing under the franchise tag.<ref name="v385">{{cite web | last=Keim | first=John | title=Cousins to play on tag; called 'Kurt' by Allen | website=ESPN.com | date=July 17, 2017 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20089114/kirk-cousins-washington-redskins-become-first-qb-repeat-franchise-tag-player | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> For the second straight season, the Redskins missed the playoffs, finishing 7–9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2017.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

During the [[2018 Washington Redskins season|2018]] offseason, the Redskins traded for quarterback [[Alex Smith]] to replace Kirk Cousins as he left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knoblauch |first=Austin |date=January 30, 2018 |title=Kansas City Chiefs trading QB Alex Smith to Redskins |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/kansas-city-chiefs-trading-qb-alex-smith-to-redskins-0ap3000000912606 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019014835/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000912606/article/kansas-city-chiefs-trading-qb-alex-smith-to-redskins |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref> Despite early success starting the season 6–3, their best start since [[2008 Washington Redskins season|2008]], the team finished the season {{Win-loss record|w=1|l=6}} due to injuries. In a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018, Smith suffered a [[compound fracture|compound]] and [[spiral fracture]] to his [[tibia]] and [[fibula]] in his right leg when he was sacked by [[Kareem Jackson]] and [[J. J. Watt]] which forced him to miss the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nathan |first=Alec |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Alex Smith to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery After Suffering Gruesome Leg Injury |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2673518-alex-smith-carted-off-vs-texans-after-suffering-gruesome-ankle-injury |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019014835/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2673518-alex-smith-carted-off-vs-texans-after-suffering-gruesome-ankle-injury |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |access-date=October 19, 2019 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> This led to [[Colt McCoy]], [[Mark Sanchez]], and [[Josh Johnson (quarterback)|Josh Johnson]] starting games in the second half of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2018.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The team finished at {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=9}} and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, with a league-high 25 players on injured reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=El-Bashir |first=Tarik |date=December 8, 2018 |title='I've never seen anything like this', the frustrating injury situation in Washington |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/702157/2018/12/08/ive-never-seen-anything-like-this-the-frustrating-injury-situation-in-washington/ |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/index.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Due to Smith's injury, the Redskins acquired [[Case Keenum]] from the [[Denver Broncos]] in the [[2019 Washington Redskins season|2019]] offseason, and drafted [[Dwayne Haskins]] from [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] in the [[2019 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Teope |first=Herbie |date=March 7, 2019 |title=Broncos trade QB Case Keenum to Redskins |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-trade-qb-case-keenum-to-redskins-0ap3000001021456 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418161520/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021456/article/broncos-trade-qb-case-keenum-to-redskins |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Homler |first=Ryan |date=April 25, 2019 |title=Redskins draft QB Dwayne Haskins with No. 15 pick in 2019 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/redskins-draft-qb-dwayne-haskins-no-15-pick-2019-nfl-draft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211141115/https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/redskins-draft-qb-dwayne-haskins-no-15-pick-2019-nfl-draft |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |access-date=October 19, 2019}}</ref> With a league worst 0–5 start to the season, tying with the [[2019 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]], and their worst start since [[2001 Washington Redskins season|2001]], the Redskins fired Gruden on October 7, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Redskins fire head coach Jay Gruden after 0–5 start |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-fire-head-coach-jay-gruden-after-0-5-start-0ap3000001063290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014084224/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001063290/article/redskins-fire-head-coach-jay-gruden-after-05-start |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> with offensive line coach [[Bill Callahan (American football coach)|Bill Callahan]] serving as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stackpole |first=Kyle |date=October 7, 2019 |title=Redskins Name Bill Callahan Interim Head Coach |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-name-bill-callahan-head-coach |url-status=dead |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007190139/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-name-bill-callahan-head-coach }}</ref> Gruden finished as the longest-tenured head coach in the Snyder era with six seasons, a 35–49–1 regular season record and one playoff appearance. The Redskins finished the season at {{Win-loss record|w=3|l=13}}, with victories over the [[2019 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] and [[2019 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]], and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2019.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The record matched their worst since [[2013 Washington Redskins season|2013]] and was the second worst of any team that season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/index.htm |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

==== Rebranding and workplace culture investigations (2020–2023) ====
[[File:WAS at PHI Jan 2021 D50 3946 (50805449137) (cropped).jpg|thumb|After recovering from a leg fracture sustained in 2018 and subseqent life-threatening infections, quarterback [[Alex Smith]] helped lead the team to a NFC East division title in 2020 and earned the [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year]] award.]]

The team underwent several changes in [[2020 Washington Football Team season|2020]], including retiring the Redskins name and logo and hiring former [[Carolina Panthers]] head coach [[Ron Rivera]] in the same role, as well as naming [[Jason Wright]] as team president, the first black person named to that position in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Redskins officially hire Ron Rivera; Jack Del Rio for DC |work=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-officially-hire-ron-rivera-jack-del-rio-for-dc-0ap3000001093769 |url-status=live |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719100448/https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-officially-hire-ron-rivera-jack-del-rio-for-dc-0ap3000001093769 |archive-date=July 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Keim |first=John |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Redskins officially name Ron Rivera coach, make Jack Del Rio DC |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28403414/redskins-officially-name-ron-rivera-coach-make-jack-del-rio-dc |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101160157/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28403414/redskins-officially-name-ron-rivera-coach-make-jack-del-rio-dc |archive-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Washington Football Team Appoints Jason Wright as President |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-football-team-appoints-jason-wright-as-president |url-status=dead |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818182638/https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-football-team-appoints-jason-wright-as-president }}</ref> Some notable members of Rivera's staff include former [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] and [[Oakland Raiders]] head coach [[Jack Del Rio]] as defensive coordinator and [[Scott Turner (American football coach)|Scott Turner]], the son of former Redskins head coach [[Norv Turner]], as offensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Redskins hiring Scott Turner as offensive coordinator |work=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-hiring-scott-turner-as-offensive-coordinator-0ap3000001095142 |url-status=live |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006220632/https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-hiring-scott-turner-as-offensive-coordinator-0ap3000001095142 |archive-date=October 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Redskins give OC job to Scott Turner, son of team's ex-coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28441173/source-redskins-give-oc-job-scott-turner-son-team-ex-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113234859/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28441173/source-redskins-give-oc-job-scott-turner-son-team-ex-coach |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref>

Under Rivera and Del Rio, the team switched their defensive scheme from a [[3–4 defense]], which the team had used under both Shanahan and Gruden's tenure, to a [[4–3 defense]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=January 1, 2020 |title=Jack Del Rio to become Redskins defensive coordinator, will switch to a 4–3 scheme |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/01/jack-del-rio-defensive-coordinator-redskins-ron-rivera/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101185335/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/01/jack-del-rio-defensive-coordinator-redskins-ron-rivera/ |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Due to their {{Win-loss record|w=3|l=13}} record the previous season, the team held the second overall pick in the [[2020 NFL draft]] and selected [[Chase Young]], who would go on to be named [[Defensive Rookie of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=April 23, 2020 |title=Redskins draft Buckeyes DE Chase Young with No. 2 pick in NFL draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29089884/redskins-draft-buckeyes-de-chase-young-no-2-pick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424031130/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29089884/redskins-draft-buckeyes-de-chase-young-no-2-pick |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |access-date=April 24, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref> [[Dwayne Haskins]], the team's first-round draft pick from 2019, was released prior to the season's end due to ineffective play and not meeting the team's standards off the field.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=December 28, 2020 |title=Washington Football Team releases QB Dwayne Haskins |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30613088/washington-football-team-releases-qb-dwayne-haskins-sources-say |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101230332/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30613088/washington-football-team-releases-qb-dwayne-haskins-sources-say |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref> Despite that, Washington would eventually win the division for the first time since 2015 at 7–9, becoming only the third team in NFL history to win a division with a losing record in a non-strike year after the [[2010 Seattle Seahawks]] and [[2014 Carolina Panthers]], the latter of which Rivera also coached.<ref name="y223">{{cite web | last=Finlay | first=JP | title=The Redskins Are Gone, But the Team Is Here and the Future Is Bright | website=NBC4 Washington | date=January 3, 2021 | url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nbcsports/the-redskins-are-gone-but-the-team-is-here-and-the-future-is-bright/2527978/ | access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref>

In July 2021, a year-long independent investigation led by lawyer [[Beth Wilkinson]] into the team's [[workplace culture]] under owner [[Daniel Snyder]] was concluded.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keim |first=John |date=July 17, 2020 |title=Who is Beth Wilkinson? Lawyer leading Washington NFL team's investigation has high-profile history. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/17/beth-wilkinson-washington-nfl-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128195106/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/17/beth-wilkinson-washington-nfl-investigation/ |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref name="WilkinsonReport">{{Cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Will |last2=Clarke |first2=Liz |last3=Reinhard |first3=Beth |last4=Maske |first4=Mark |date=July 1, 2021 |title=NFL fines Washington Football Team $10 million; Tanya Snyder to run operations for now |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/01/daniel-snyder-nfl-fine-sexual-harassment-investigation/ |access-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-date=July 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706220126/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/01/daniel-snyder-nfl-fine-sexual-harassment-investigation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It found that several incidents of [[sexual harassment]], bullying, and intimidation were commonplace throughout the organization under his ownership.<ref name="WilkinsonReport" /> The NFL fined the team $10&nbsp;million in response, with Snyder also voluntarily stepping down from running the team's day-to-day operations, giving those responsibilities to his wife and team CEO [[Tanya Snyder|Tanya]].<ref name="WilkinsonReport" /> A [[U.S. House Oversight Committee]] report later corroborated the claims and accused him of withholding [[security deposit|security deposits]] from season ticket holders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Commanders owner Daniel Snyder testifies before congressional committee |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-owner-daniel-snyder-testifies-before-congressional-committee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729002136/https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-owner-daniel-snyder-testifies-before-congressional-committee |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=NFL.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |last2=Kane |first2=Paul |last3=Maske |first3=Mark |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Congress investigating allegations of financial impropriety by Commanders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/31/washington-football-house-oversight-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403021947/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/31/washington-football-house-oversight-investigation/ |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

The [[2021 Washington Football Team season|2021 season]] saw the hiring of [[Martin Mayhew]] as general manager and [[Marty Hurney]] as another high-ranking executive.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Washington overhauls front office, naming Martin Mayhew as GM, Marty Hurney as executive VP |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/01/21/washington-football-team-martin-mayhew/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122160122/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/01/21/washington-football-team-martin-mayhew/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=January 22, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> With the hiring of Mayhew, Washington became the first team in NFL history to concurrently have a minority general manager, head coach, and president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DePrisco |first=Mike |title=Black History Month: For Jason Wright, activism runs deep |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/black-history-month-washington-president-jason-wright-activism-runs-deep |access-date=February 17, 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711165139/https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/black-history-month-washington-president-jason-wright-activism-runs-deep |url-status=live }}</ref> Backup quarterback [[Taylor Heinicke]] would start the majority of the season after [[Ryan Fitzpatrick]] was injured in the opening game. The team missed the playoffs with a {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=10}} record. The Football Team rebranded as the Commanders in [[2022 Washington Commanders season|2022]] with new logos and uniforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cadeaux |first1=Ethan |title=Revamped 'Fight for Our Commanders' Fight Song Unveiled at Preseason Opener |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nbcsports/revamped-fight-for-our-commanders-fight-song-unveiled-at-preseason-opener/3132614/ |work=NBC Washington |date=August 13, 2022 |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Michael |title=Latest filing with NFL shows Commanders making strides in reforming workplace |url=https://richmond.com/sports/professional/latest-filing-with-nfl-shows-commanders-making-strides-in-reforming-workplace/article_69d81931-e415-5b23-be7e-35c9a75d9dec.html |work=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]] |date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> The team traded for Colts quarterback [[Carson Wentz]] in the offseason, with them finishing {{Win-loss record|w=8|l=8|t=1}} and becoming the first team since 2008 to finish last in the division with a non-losing record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Commanders acquire Carson Wentz |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-acquire-carson-wentz |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316203423/https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-acquire-carson-wentz |url-status=dead }}</ref> Wentz, who was benched for Henicke during the season, would be released with Heinicke not being retained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Commanders release Carson Wentz: Top landing spots include Panthers, Bucs for veteran signal-caller |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/commanders-release-carson-wentz-top-landing-spots-include-panthers-bucs-for-veteran-signal-caller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413225400/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/commanders-release-carson-wentz-top-landing-spots-include-panthers-bucs-for-veteran-signal-caller/ |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> The season would also be the final one under Snyder's ownership.

=== Josh Harris era (2023–present) ===
[[File:Jayden Daniels pro debut.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.8|Quarterback [[Jayden Daniels]], selected second overall in the [[2024 NFL draft|2024 draft]], was the [[Offensive Rookie of the Year]] after setting several team and NFL rookie records.]]

In November 2022, Snyder hired [[BofA Securities]] after mounting pressure from other NFL owners to sell the team to explore possible transactions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Belson |first1=Ken |last2=Vrentas |first2=Jenny |title=Dan Snyder 'Needs to Be Removed,' Says One N.F.L. Owner |work=The New York Times |date=October 18, 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/sports/football/dan-snyder-washington-commanders.html |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723123441/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/sports/football/dan-snyder-washington-commanders.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Whyno |first1=Stephen |title=Dan and Tanya Snyder hire firm to explore sale of Commanders |url=https://apnews.com/article/washington-commanders-nfl-sports-business-football-6870aaba035b2206862997d024b859c8 |website=AP News |date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802222220/https://apnews.com/article/washington-commanders-nfl-sports-business-football-6870aaba035b2206862997d024b859c8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Ben |date=November 3, 2022 |title=SBJ Football: Fellow owners influenced Dan Snyder decision |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Football/2022/11/03.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723123444/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Football/2022/11/03.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Sports Business Journal}}</ref> In May 2023, he reached an agreement to sell the franchise to a group headed by [[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]], co-founder of [[Apollo Global Management]] and owner of the NBA's [[Philadelphia 76ers]] and NHL's [[New Jersey Devils]], for $6.05 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=Josh Harris has a signed, exclusive deal with Daniel Snyder for Commanders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/12/josh-harris-dan-snyder-commanders-deal/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2023 |date=May 12, 2023}}</ref> Key limited partners include [[Danaher Corporation|Danaher]] and [[Glenstone]] founder [[Mitchell Rales]], Hall of Fame basketball player [[Magic Johnson]], and venture captilalist [[Mark Ein]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ozanian |first1=Mike |title=Here's How Much Josh Harris Expects To Earn On $6 Billion Purchase Of The Washington Commanders |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2023/07/20/heres-how-much-josh-harris-expects-to-earn-on-6-billion-purchase-of-the-washington-commanders/?sh=6f59a19011d2 |website=[[Forbes]] |date=July 20, 2023 |access-date=August 20, 2023 |quote=Harris has 20 limited partners in his group, including Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, Eric Schmidt and Mark Ein, the most in the NFL. |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820160056/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2023/07/20/heres-how-much-josh-harris-expects-to-earn-on-6-billion-purchase-of-the-washington-commanders/?sh=6f59a19011d2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Josh Harris Announces Acquisition of Washington Commanders |date=July 21, 2023 |publisher=Washington Commanders |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/josh-harris-announces-acquisition-of-washington-commanders |access-date=July 21, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721190232/https://www.commanders.com/news/josh-harris-announces-acquisition-of-washington-commanders |archive-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> The sale, the highest price ever paid for a sports team, was approved by the NFL on July 20, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jhabvala |first1=Nicki |title=The Commanders sale was so complicated, it was 'like 20 deals in one' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/20/josh-harris-rales-commanders-owners/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 23, 2023 |date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909153248/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/20/josh-harris-rales-commanders-owners/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=NFL owners approve sale of Commanders from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/20/washington-commanders-sale/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 21, 2023 |date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720210850/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/20/washington-commanders-sale/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2024, the team had invested $75 million in improving the infrastructure and game experience of [[Northwest Stadium]], including improved food options and renovations to the sound system and suites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Washington Commanders announce significant upgrades to stadium, bringing targeted investments to more than $75 million under new ownership |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-commanders-announce-significant-upgrades-to-stadium-bringing-targeted-investments-to-more-than-75-million-under-new-ownership |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Commanders.com}}</ref>

The Commanders finished the [[2023 Washington Commanders season|2023 season]] with a {{Win-loss record|w=4|l=13}} record, allowing the most points and having the worst point differential in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Offense Total Team Stat Leaders |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724202836/https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team |url-status=live }}</ref> Second-year quarterback [[Sam Howell]], who started all 17 games, also led the league in sacks allowed (65) and interceptions thrown (21).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Adam |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Ron Rivera Fired by Commanders After HC Went 26-40-1 in 4 Seasons |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10052387-ron-rivera-fired-by-commanders-after-hc-went-26-40-1-in-4-seasons |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119142519/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10052387-ron-rivera-fired-by-commanders-after-hc-went-26-40-1-in-4-seasons |url-status=live }}</ref> It was their seventh straight non-winning season and third straight being eliminated from the playoffs, with the team also going winless in the division for the first time since [[2019 Washington Redskins season|2019]]. Head coach [[Ron Rivera]] and his staff were fired following the season's conclusion. The [[2024 Washington Commanders season|2024 season]] saw the hiring of [[Adam Peters]] as general manager and former Falcons coach [[Dan Quinn (American football)|Dan Quinn]] as head coach.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vacchiano |first1=Ralph |title=Taking Command: How Adam Peters is reshaping football in Washington |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/adam-peters-reshaping-football-in-washington |website=[[FOX Sports]] |access-date=July 20, 2024 |date=May 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Keim |first1=John |title=How the Washington Commanders hired Dan Quinn as head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39569707/how-washington-commanders-hired-dan-quinn-head-coach |website=ESPN |date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229022212/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39569707/how-washington-commanders-hired-dan-quinn-head-coach |url-status=live }}</ref> The front office and roster saw several changes under Peters, including signing around 30 [[free agent]]s and selecting 2023 [[Heisman]] quarterback [[Jayden Daniels]] second overall in the [[2024 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=April 2, 2024 |title=Commanders re-signees excited for new direction, more opportunity |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-re-signees-excited-for-new-direction-more-opportunity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403153110/https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-re-signees-excited-for-new-direction-more-opportunity |archive-date=April 3, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Commanders.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Commanders trade QB Sam Howell for draft picks |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-trade-qb-sam-howell-for-draft-picks |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Keim |first1=John |title=Why Commanders selected Jayden Daniels No. 2 in NFL draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40057487/why-commanders-drafted-jayden-daniels-no-2-overall |website=ESPN |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=May 3, 2024 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503150355/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40057487/why-commanders-drafted-jayden-daniels-no-2-overall |url-status=live }}</ref> Led by Daniels, the 2024 [[Offensive Rookie of the Year]], the Commanders went {{Win-loss record|w=12|l=5}}, won a playoff game for the first time since [[2005 Washington Redskins season|2005]], and made the [[NFC Championship Game]] for the first time since [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]].

On April 28, 2025, the Commanders and the D.C. government announced an agreement to build a [[New Commanders Stadium|$3.7 billion stadium]] on the former site of [[RFK Stadium]], with a target opening date of 2030. The deal is still pending approval by the [[D.C. Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=April 28, 2025 |title=Commanders, D.C. reach deal for $4B stadium |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44893202/washington-commanders-dc-reach-deal-new-stadium-rfk-site |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dil |first=Cuneyt |date=April 28, 2025 |title=A 65,000-seat Commanders stadium — plus what's inside the RFK deal |url=https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/28/washington-commanders-stadium-rfk-bowser-deal |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref>

==Logos and uniforms==
[[File:Washington Redskins wordmark.svg|thumb|Redskins wordmark (1971–2019)]]
[[File:Redskins uniforms19.png|thumb|left|upright=.7|The uniform style most commonly worn by the team from the 1980s to the 2010s]]
The franchise's primary colors are burgundy and gold.<ref name="WashingtonCommanders" /><ref name="WSHCommUniforms" /><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Washington Commanders Team Capsule|chapter-url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2024/2024_Record_and_Fact_Book_incl_Supplemental.pdf#page=231|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|title=2024 Official National Football League Record and Fact Book|url=https://static.www.nfl.com/image/upload/league/apps/league-site/media-guides/2024/2024_Record_and_Fact_Book_incl_Supplemental.pdf|date=July 22, 2024|access-date=May 20, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1961 through 1978, Washington wore gold pants with both the burgundy and white jerseys, although details of the jerseys and pants changed a few times during this period. Gold face masks were introduced in 1978 and remain as such to this day; previous to that they were grey. Throughout most of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Washington was just one of three other teams that primarily wore their white jerseys at home (the others being the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[Miami Dolphins]]). The tradition of wearing white jerseys over burgundy pants at home, which is considered the "classic" look, was started by [[Joe Gibbs]] when he took over as coach in 1981. Gibbs was an assistant for the [[San Diego Chargers]] in 1979 and 1980 when the team wore white at home under head coach [[Don Coryell]].

Their burgundy jerseys were primarily used only when the opposing team decided to wear white at home, which came mostly against the Dallas Cowboys and was normally worn over white pants. It was worn on the road against other teams that prefer to wear white at home for games occurring early in the season. From 1981 through 2000, Washington wore their white jerseys over burgundy pants at home almost exclusively. In 1994, as part of a league-wide celebration of the NFL's 75th anniversary, during certain games, the team wore special uniforms which emulated the uniforms worn by the team in its inaugural season in Washington in 1937. Both worn over gold pants, the burgundy jerseys featured gold numbers bordered in white and the white jerseys featured burgundy numbers bordered in gold. The most distinctive feature of both colors of the jersey was the patches worn on both sleeves, which were a reproduction of the patches worn on the full-length sleeves of the 1937 jerseys. Worn with these uniforms was a plain burgundy helmet with a gold facemask.

In 2001, the team wore burgundy for all home games in the preseason and regular season per a decision by Marty Schottenheimer, their coach for that year. In 2002, the team celebrated the passing of 70 years since its creation as the Boston Braves in 1932 and wore a special home uniform, a burgundy jersey over gold pants, which roughly resembled the home uniforms used from 1969 to 1978. The helmets used with this special home uniform during that year were a reproduction of the helmets used by the team from 1965 to 1969, though they wore white at home in Week 1 against the [[Arizona Cardinals]] and again in Week 17, the latter forcing the Cowboys to use their blue jerseys.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Redskins Adopt 'Retro' Look; 70 Greatest Redskins to be Selected |date=February 6, 2002 |url=http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=10789 |access-date=July 23, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021013201106/http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=10789 |archive-date=October 13, 2002 |website=Redskins.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins New Uniforms |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/newlook/redskins/uniforms.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519170507/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/newlook/redskins/uniforms.html |archive-date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=ESPN}}</ref> This special home uniform was also worn during one game in 2003. In 2004, when Gibbs became the coach of the team once again, the team switched back to wearing white jerseys at home; in Gibbs's 16 years as head coach, the team never wore burgundy jerseys at home, even wearing a white throwback jersey in 2007.

Their white jerseys have provided three basic color combinations. The last combination consists of both white jerseys and pants. That particular combination surfaced in the first game of the 2003 season when the team was coached by Steve Spurrier, during a nationally televised game against the [[New York Jets]], which led many sports fans and Redskins faithful alike to point out that they had never seen that particular combination before. The Redskins won six straight games, including one in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wearing that combination. In the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the eventual 2005 NFC Champion [[2005 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]], Washington wore the all-white uniforms in hopes that they could keep their streak going; however, they lost 20–10. The white jersey over burgundy pants look reappeared in a home game against the [[Carolina Panthers]] later in 2006.

In celebration of the franchise's 75th anniversary, Washington wore a one-time [[throwback uniform]] for a home game against the [[New York Giants]], based on their away uniform from 1970 to 1971. Players wore a white jersey with three burgundy and two gold stripes on each sleeve and the 75th-anniversary logo on the left chest. The pants were gold, with one white stripe bordered by a burgundy stripe on each side, running down each side. The helmet was gold-colored with a burgundy "R" logo. The helmet and uniform styles were the same as the ones the franchise used during the 1970–71 seasons. [[Vince Lombardi]], who coached Washington in 1969 before dying during the 1970 preseason, was the inspiration behind the helmet. Lombardi pushed for the logo, which sat inside a white circle enclosed within a burgundy circle border, with Native American feathers hanging down from the side because of its similarity to the "G" on the helmets worn by the [[Green Bay Packers]], who he had coached during most of the 1960s.

In a 2008 ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], Washington wore a [[monochrome dress|monochrome]] look by wearing burgundy jerseys over burgundy pants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2008 |title=Roethlisberger leaves at halftime, Leftwich leads Steelers past Skins |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281103028 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107195557/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281103028 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=November 22, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> This combination made two further appearances the following season against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. The Redskins, starting in 2010, began to wear the burgundy jersey paired with the gold pants reminiscent of the George Allen era.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Gary |date=September 12, 2010 |title=Redskins Go For Gold (Pants) In Season Opener |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-go-for-gold-pants-in-season-opener-3447145 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193928/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-go-for-gold-pants-in-season-opener-3447145 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=September 12, 2010 |title=Redskins wearing gold pants |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/09/redskins_wearing_gold_pants.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203044356/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/09/redskins_wearing_gold_pants.html |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Against the [[Tennessee Titans]] later that season, the team matched the gold pants with the usual white jerseys for the first time. Washington wore the same combination against the Giants on the road two weeks later.
[[File:Washington Redskins uniforms.png|thumb|left|upright=.9|The uniform style worn for a period during the 2010s]]
In 2011, the Redskins wore the burgundy jersey and gold pants for five home games and a road game at Dallas, the burgundy jersey with white pants for three home games and a road game at Miami, the white jersey and burgundy pants for five road games, and the white jersey and gold pants for a [[Bills Toronto Series|Bills game in Toronto]]. The following year, the team wore an updated throwback uniform of the 1937 championship team that featured a helmet pattern based on the logo-less leather helmets worn at the time, in a game against the Carolina Panthers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Washington Redskins' alternate unis revealed |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-redskins-throwback-uniforms-out-sunday-0ap1000000088275 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121021450/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000088275/article/washington-redskins-alternate-unis-revealed |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 2012 |title=Redskins Launch 80th Anniversary Campaign |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-launch-80th-anniversary-campaign-7335687 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193930/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-launch-80th-anniversary-campaign-7335687 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, a newly implemented NFL rule stated that teams could not wear alternate helmets (thus limiting them to one helmet) on account of player safety. As a result, Washington wore its 1937 throwbacks with the logo removed from the regular helmet in a game versus the [[2013 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chase |first=Chris |date=November 3, 2013 |title=New NFL rule ruins Redskins' iconic throwback uniforms |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/redskins-throwbacks-nfl-helmet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115074519/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/redskins-throwbacks-nfl-helmet/ |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> That year, the Redskins removed the burgundy collar from their white jerseys in order to have better consistency with the new [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] uniforms that had debuted the previous season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=May 16, 2013 |title=Redskins removing burgundy collars from white jerseys |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/05/16/redskins-removing-burgundy-collars-from-white-jerseys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602044252/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/05/16/redskins-removing-burgundy-collars-from-white-jerseys/ |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

Between 2014 and 2016, the team wore the gold pants with their standard uniforms, although the burgundy pants returned as part of the team's away uniform later in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tesfatsion |first=Master |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Redskins players, and fans, hope the burgundy pants are here to stay |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/09/30/redskins-players-and-fans-hope-the-burgundy-pants-are-here-to-stay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203195447/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/09/30/redskins-players-and-fans-hope-the-burgundy-pants-are-here-to-stay/ |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=October 23, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In 2017, Washington resurrected the all-burgundy ensemble as part of the [[NFL Color Rush]]. Nike initially provided an all-gold uniform but team officials called it "garish" and refused to wear it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Michael |title=Redskins push back against wearing 'garish' uniforms Thursday against Cowboys |url=https://www.fredericksburg.com/sports/redskins-push-back-against-wearing-garish-uniforms-thursday-against-cowboys/article_a91cf57c-9176-5a19-9c88-cd9694d5c05a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101201755/https://www.fredericksburg.com/sports/redskins-push-back-against-wearing-garish-uniforms-thursday-against-cowboys/article_a91cf57c-9176-5a19-9c88-cd9694d5c05a.html |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |website=Fredericksburg.com |date=November 28, 2017 |publisher=Richmond Times-Dispatch}}</ref> In 2018, Washington replaced the gold pants with white for the majority of their home games.
[[File:Washington football team unif.png|thumb|upright=.7|Washington Football Team uniforms (2020–2021)]]
During their two season as the Washington Football Team in 2020 and 2021, their logo was a simple "W" with the helmets having player numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D. Sykes |first=Mike |title=See the Washington Football Team's new updated uniforms |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/washington-football-team-uniforms-2020-season |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725230035/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/washington-football-team-uniforms-2020-season |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=USA Today}}</ref> The Commanders rebranding included new logos and uniforms featuring military-inspired motifs. The primary home uniform remained burgundy with gold and white stripes with the letters having a gold base. The team name is placed atop the numbers in front, which were also gold and trimmed in white. The road white uniform features burgundy and white gradient numbers with black trim, along with burgundy and white gradient and black sleeve stripes. Both sets are paired with either burgundy or white pants. The alternate black uniform features the team name on the left chest in gold, and numbers have a gold base with burgundy trim. Black pants are paired with this uniform with an alternate black helmet having with the "W" logo in front and uniform numbers on each side.<ref name="WSHCommUniforms" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=February 2, 2022 |title=4 things to know about the Washington Commanders' new uniforms |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/4-things-to-know-about-the-washington-commanders-new-uniforms |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404081236/https://www.commanders.com/news/4-things-to-know-about-the-washington-commanders-new-uniforms |url-status=live }}</ref> A pig mascot, [[Major Tuddy]], was also unveiled near the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2023 |title=Washington Commanders unveil new hog mascot |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35359751/washington-commanders-unveil-new-hog-mascot |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In 2024, gold pants returned to the uniform rotation for the first time since 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Commanders bring back gold pants for 2024 season |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-bring-back-gold-pants-for-2024-season |access-date=July 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Redskins branding controversy===
{{see also|Washington Redskins name controversy|Washington Redskins name opinion polls|label 2=opinion polls}}
The team's former [[Redskin]]s branding, used from 1933 until 2020, was one of the leading examples of the [[Native American mascot controversy]]. Various people and groups, such as the [[National Congress of American Indians]] (NCAI), considered the name a racial slur and attempted to get the team to change it for decades.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hylton |first=J. Gordon |date=January 1, 2010 |title=BEFORE THE REDSKINS WERE THE REDSKINS: THE USE OF NATIVE AMERICAN TEAM NAMES IN THE FORMATIVE ERA OF AMERICAN SPORTS, 1857–1933 |url=https://law.und.edu/_files/docs/ndlr/pdf/issues/86/4/86ndlr879.pdf#page=1 |url-status=dead |journal=North Dakota Law Review |volume=86 |page=879 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616022746/https://law.und.edu/_files/docs/ndlr/pdf/issues/86/4/86ndlr879.pdf#page=1 |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2013 |title=NCAI Releases Report on History and Legacy of Washington's Harmful "Indian" Sports Mascot |work=NCAI.org |url=http://www.ncai.org/news/articles/2013/10/10/ncai-releases-report-on-history-and-legacy-of-washington-s-harmful-indian-sports-mascot |url-status=dead |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011183011/http://www.ncai.org/news/articles/2013/10/10/ncai-releases-report-on-history-and-legacy-of-washington-s-harmful-indian-sports-mascot |archive-date=October 11, 2013}}</ref> In a 2013 letter, Snyder stated that while respecting those that say they were offended, a poll conducted by the [[Annenberg Public Policy Center]] in 2004 found that 90% of Native Americans were not.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2013 |title=A Letter from Dan Snyder |url=http://files.redskins.com/pdf/A-Letter-from-Dan-Snyder.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716182200/http://files.redskins.com/pdf/A-Letter-from-Dan-Snyder.pdf |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |website=Redskins.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2013 |title=Letter from Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder to fans |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/letter-from-washington-redskins-owner-dan-snyder-to-fans/2013/10/09/e7670ba0-30fe-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921224312/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/letter-from-washington-redskins-owner-dan-snyder-to-fans/2013/10/09/e7670ba0-30fe-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html |archive-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref> This poll was essentially replicated in 2016 by ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Social scientists from the [[University of Michigan]] and [[University of California at Berkeley]] performed a study in 2020 that measured Native American opinion in detail, finding that 49% had responded that the name was offensive, with the level of offense increasing to 67% for those with a stronger involvement in Native American culture.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/04/native-mascots-survey/| website=Berkeley News| title=Washington Redskins' name, Native mascots offend more than previously reported| author=Yasmin Anwar| date=February 4, 2020| access-date=September 23, 2023| archive-date=June 25, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625094127/https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/04/native-mascots-survey/| url-status=live}}</ref> When the franchise was undergoing a [[Washington Redskins trademark dispute|trademark dispute in 2014]], the ''Washington Post'' announced their editorials would no longer use the "Redskins" name.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 2014 |title=Washington Post editorials will no longer use 'Redskins' for the local NFL team |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/washington-post-editorials-will-no-longer-use-redskins-for-the-local-nfl-team/2014/08/22/1413db62-2940-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html |access-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223162548/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/washington-post-editorials-will-no-longer-use-redskins-for-the-local-nfl-team/2014/08/22/1413db62-2940-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weissman |first=Jordan |date=June 18, 2014 |title=Why Washington's NFL Team Might Not Need to Worry About Losing Its Trademarks |url=https://slate.com/business/2014/06/washington-football-team-loses-trademark-case-why-it-might-not-matter.html |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=Slate.com |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215413/https://slate.com/business/2014/06/washington-football-team-loses-trademark-case-why-it-might-not-matter.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ESPN updated their employee work policies to allow their reporters to choose how to refer to the team going forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deford |first=Frank |date=July 23, 2014 |title=The Washington Football Team That Must Not Be Named |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/07/23/334034480/the-washington-football-team-that-must-not-be-named |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=NPR |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220824/https://www.npr.org/2014/07/23/334034480/the-washington-football-team-that-must-not-be-named |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=August 23, 2014 |title=ESPN updates its policy regarding use of Redskins team name |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/espn-updates-its-policy-regarding-use-of-redskins-team-name/ |access-date=June 1, 2021 |work=CBS Sports |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081836/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/espn-updates-its-policy-regarding-use-of-redskins-team-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Matt |date=May 22, 2014 |title=50 Senators Call on Washington Football Team to Change Name |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/senators-washington-nfl-team-name-change/ |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=MotherJones.com |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214141/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/senators-washington-nfl-team-name-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following a [[United States racial unrest (2020–2023)|period of racial unrest]] triggered by the [[murder of George Floyd]] and subsequent [[George Floyd protests|protests]] in 2020, a letter signed by 87 shareholders and investors was sent to team and league sponsors [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[FedEx]], and [[PepsiCo]] urging them to cut their ties unless the name was changed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=July 14, 2020 |title=How the events of 2020 forced the Washington NFL team's name change |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714200616/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McDonald |first=Scott |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Washington Redskins Urged to Lose Name, or Millions in Sponsorships |url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703123716/https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Liz |date=July 10, 2020 |title=In private letter to Redskins, FedEx said it will remove signage if name isn't changed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714190207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Around the same time, several retail companies began removing Redskins merchandise from their stores.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Amazon to pull Redskins merchandise while team mulls nickname change |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715110936/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Walmart, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods pull Washington Redskins items as team evaluates name |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714052827/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> In response, the team underwent a review in July 2020 and announced that it would play as the Washington Football Team after retiring its name and logo in wake of the [[List of name changes due to the George Floyd protests|George Floyd protests]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=July 13, 2020 |title=Washington retiring nickname, logo; new nickname TBD |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716111601/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Statement From The Washington Redskins Football Team |date=July 13, 2020 |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713134913/https://www.redskins.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

The team rebranded as the Commanders, featuring new logos and uniforms, in 2022.<ref name="WashingtonCommanders">{{cite press release|title=The Washington Football Team is now the Washington Commanders|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/the-washington-football-team-is-now-the-washington-commanders|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Commanders.com|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=June 6, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WSHCommUniforms">{{cite news|last=Shook|first=Nick|title=Washington announces new team name: Washington Commanders|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-commanders-new-team-name|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=June 6, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202132401/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-commanders-new-team-name|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Please do not remove the URL references from Commanders.com or NFL.com regarding the team's current name from this section or the article. Also, please leave the wiki-code formatting in the |website= field for all URL references from Commanders.com throughout the article as-is and please do not change to |website=Washington Commanders. Thank you. --> In 2023, the [[Native American Guardians Association]] (NAGA) launched a petition to return to the Redskins branding; NAGA later attempted to sue the Commanders for defamation after team management claimed NAGA to be a "fake" association.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Jackson |date=September 25, 2023 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Washington Commanders sued by Native American organization trying to restore old team name |url=https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/exclusive-washington-commanders-sued-by-native-american-organization-trying-to-restore-old-team-name-redskins-native-american-guardians-association-naga-cleveland-kansas-city-chiefs-american-indians-ncai |access-date=November 14, 2023 |website=NBC Montana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mordowanec |first=Nick |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Washington Commanders Accused of Defaming Native Americans in Name Fight |website=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-commanders-accused-defaming-native-americans-name-1829702 |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> In 2024, [[U.S. Senator]] from Montana [[Steve Daines]] advocated for the NFL to honor [[Blackfeet Nation]] member Blackie Wetzel in recognition of his role in designing the team's former logo depicting a Native American chief based on [[John Two Guns White Calf]], the last chief of the Blackfeet. While Daines sought to honor the legacy without calling for the return of the Redskins branding, some viewed the gesture as insufficient compared to addressing more pressing community needs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szpaller |first=Keila |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Daines advocates that Washington Commanders 'make it right' with Wetzel family |url=https://dailymontanan.com/2024/05/15/daines-advocates-that-washington-commanders-make-it-right-with-wetzel-family/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Daily Montanan |language=en-US}}</ref> The Wetzel family stated their desire to regain the rights to the logo to use it to raise awareness about social issues on reservations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caldwell |first1=Dave |title=A Native American designed Washington's logo. Now his family want it back |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/07/a-native-american-designed-washingtons-logo-now-his-family-want-it-back |access-date=July 6, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> In November 2024, the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]] voted 17–2 to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site to the District of Columbia. The bill's approval came after negotiations between the team, NFL, and Daines to potentially restore the Redskins logo, with portions of merchandise proceeds going to Native American causes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Coley |first1=Joanne |title=Commanders Urged to Consider Bringing Back Redskins Logo |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-weighing-bringing-back-redskins-logo |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Salguero |first1=Armando |title=NFL And Congress Discussing Return Of The Washington Redskins Logo |url=https://www.outkick.com/sports/nfl-congress-discussing-return-washington-redskins-logo |website=[[OutKick]] |date=November 24, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref>

==Rivalries==
===Divisional===
====Dallas Cowboys====
{{Main|Commanders–Cowboys rivalry}}
The Commanders' rivalry with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] features two teams that have won 31 combined division titles and 10 championships, including eight combined [[Super Bowl]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cowboys-Redskins rivalry redefines the term 'fight song' |url=http://cadillacof.msn.com/foxsports/article.aspx?category=nfl&articleid=5962642 |access-date=April 7, 2008 |website=[[FOX Sports]]}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The rivalry started in 1960 when the Cowboys joined the league as an [[expansion team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL History 1951–1960 |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1951-1960#1960 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209180120/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1951-1960#1960 |archive-date=February 9, 2007 |access-date=April 7, 2008 |website=[[National Football League]]}}</ref> During that year they were in separate conferences, but played once during the season. In 1961, Dallas was placed in the same division as the Redskins, and from that point on, they have played each other twice during every [[Season (sports)|regular season]].

Texas oil tycoon [[Clint Murchison Jr.]] was having a difficult time bringing an NFL team to [[Dallas]]. In 1958, Murchison heard that [[George Preston Marshall]], owner of the Washington Redskins, was eager to sell the team. Just as the sale was about to be finalized, Marshall called for a change in terms. Murchison was outraged and canceled the whole deal.<ref name="beginning">{{Cite web |last=Toomay |first=Pat |title=A rivalry for a song ... and chicken feed |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/wash/s/toomay/020314.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409160431/http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/toomay/020314.html |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> Around this time, Marshall had a falling out with the Redskin band director, Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin had written the music for the team's [[fight song]], now known as "[[Hail to the Commanders]]", which gets played by the [[Washington Commanders Marching Band]] after every touchdown at home games.<ref name="beginning" /> He wanted revenge after the failed negotiations with Marshall. He approached Tom Webb, Murchison's lawyer, and sold the rights for $2,500 ({{inflation|US|2500|1960|r=-2|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="beginning" /> Murchison then decided to create his own team, with the support of NFL expansion committee chairman, [[George Halas]]. Halas decided to put the proposition of a Dallas franchise before the NFL owners, which needed to have unanimous approval in order to pass. The only owner against the proposal was George Preston Marshall. However, Marshall found out that Murchison owned the rights to Washington's fight song, so a deal was finally struck. If Marshall showed his approval of the Dallas franchise, Murchison would return the song. The Cowboys were then founded and began playing in 1960.<ref name="beginning" /> At the time in 2016, a matchup between the teams on Thanksgiving was the most-watched regular-season game broadcast by the ''[[NFL on Fox]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coppinger |first=Mike |date=November 25, 2016 |title=Cowboys-Redskins was most-watched regular-season game in Fox history |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/11/25/ratings-cowboys-redskins-fox/94432960/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220062234/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/11/25/ratings-cowboys-redskins-fox/94432960/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |website=USA Today}}</ref> The Cowboys lead the series {{Win-loss record|w=78|l=48|t=2}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=was&tm2=dal&yr=all |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

====Philadelphia Eagles====
{{Main|Commanders–Eagles rivalry}}
The Commanders' rivalry with the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] began in 1934. Washington leads the series {{Win-loss record|w=90|l=87|t=6}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=was&tm2=phi&yr=all |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

====New York Giants====
{{Main|Commanders–Giants rivalry}}
The Commanders' rivalry with the [[New York Giants]] began in 1932. The Giants lead the all-time series {{Win-loss record|w=108|l=73|t=5}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=was&tm2=nyg&yr=all |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Other===
==== Baltimore Ravens ====
Though the two teams play each other infrequently as they are in different conferences, the Commanders have taken part in a minor geographic rivalry with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] as both stadiums are approximately 40 miles apart.<ref name="f867">{{cite web | title=Are The Ravens and Redskins Really Rivals? | website=FOX Sports | date=June 30, 2017 | url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/are-the-ravens-and-redskins-really-rivals | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="v213">{{cite magazine | last=Zimmerlee | first=Connor | title=Commanders' Sale Spawns Rivalry With Ravens? | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=July 21, 2023 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/ravens/news/baltimore-ravens-washington-commanders-sale-dan-snyder-training-camp | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> The Commanders particularly had long blocked the return of an NFL team to Baltimore since the [[Baltimore Colts|Colts franchise]] relocated to Indianapolis in 1984. Former owner [[Jack Kent Cooke]] had been accused in multiple instances of orchestrating any means to prevent the city from receiving a new franchise until the Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1996, prompting Cooke to put the Redskins' then-new stadium in Landover, Maryland.<ref name="o660">{{cite news | last1=Shapiro | first1=Leonard | last2=Maske | first2=Mark | title=BALTIMORE NFL BACKERS SAY COOKE UNDERCUT EFFORTS TO LAND TEAM | newspaper=Washington Post | date=December 8, 1993 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/12/08/baltimore-nfl-backers-say-cooke-undercut-efforts-to-land-team/bceec396-7548-446b-a32e-cd766f9ebec7/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="e613">{{cite web | last=Howard | first=Johnette | title=Howard: Cleveland, Baltimore football history could have changed at meeting | website=ESPN.com | date=January 31, 2013 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8901484/cleveland-baltimore-football-history-changed-meeting | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://russellstreetreport.com/2015/07/31/flashbackfridays/tagliabue-couldnt-stop-baltimore/|title=Tagliabue Couldn't Stop Baltimore!|date=July 31, 2015 }}</ref> The two teams play each other annually during the preseason.<ref name="a809">{{cite web | last=Bumbaca | first=Chris | title=Baltimore Ravens' preseason win streak ends vs. Washington Commanders | website=USA TODAY | date=August 22, 2023 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/08/21/baltimore-ravens-preseason-win-streak-ends-vs-washington-commanders/70647160007/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref> The Ravens lead the all-time series {{Win-loss record|w=5|l=3}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Matchups, Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=was&tm2=rav&yr=all |access-date=October 14, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Players==
{{See also|List of Washington Commanders players|List of Washington Commanders starting quarterbacks|Washington Commanders draft history|label 2 = starting quarterbacks|label 3 = draft selections}}

===Roster===
{{Washington Commanders roster}}

===Retired numbers===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Retired numbers
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Number
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Tenure
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Retired in
|-
| '''9''' || [[Sonny Jurgensen]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1964–1974 || 2023
|-
| '''21''' || [[Sean Taylor]] || [[Free safety|FS]] || 2004–2007 || 2021
|-
| '''28''' || |[[Darrell Green]] || |[[Cornerback|CB]] || 1983–2002 || 2024
|-
| '''33''' || [[Sammy Baugh]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] / [[Safety (gridiron football position)|S]] / [[Punter (football)|P]] || 1937–1952 || 1953
|-
| '''49''' || [[Bobby Mitchell]] || [[Halfback (American football)|HB]] / [[Wide receiver|WR]] || 1962–1968 || 2020
|}

Some numbers are unofficially retired and are withheld from being selected by other players.
* 7 [[Joe Theismann]], QB, 1974–1985
* 42 [[Charley Taylor]], WR, 1964–1977
* 43 [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]], RB, 1969–1976
* 44 [[John Riggins]], RB, 1976–1979, 1981–1985
* 65 [[Dave Butz]], DT, 1975–1988
* 70 [[Sam Huff]], LB, 1964–1969
* 81 [[Art Monk]], WR, 1980–1993

The use of unofficial retired numbers drew controversy during [[Steve Spurrier]]'s first year as head coach in 2002.<ref name="retirednumbers">{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2002 |title=Theismann's No. 7 taken out of circulation again |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/redskins/2002-05-13-qb-number.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207235602/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/redskins/2002-05-13-qb-number.htm |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |access-date=February 19, 2008 |website=USA Today}}</ref> Quarterbacks [[Danny Wuerffel]] and [[Shane Matthews]] first wore 7 and 9 respectively during training camp. The resulting controversy led to them switching to 17 and 6.<ref name="retirednumbers" /> [[Dwayne Haskins]], the team's first-round selection in the [[2019 NFL draft]], received permission from Theismann to wear number 7.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Theismann gives Haskins permission to wear no. 7 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26648061/theismann-gives-haskins-ok-wear-no-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502000841/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26648061/theismann-gives-haskins-ok-wear-no-7 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=May 2, 2019 |website=ESPN}}</ref>

===Pro Football Hall of Fame members===
Names in '''bold''' indicate induction primarily based on accomplishments with Washington.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Players in the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Positions
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Seasons
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Inducted
|-
| '''[[Sonny Jurgensen]]''' || [[Quarterback]] || 1964–1974 || 1983 
|-
| '''[[Cliff Battles]]''' || [[Running back]] / [[cornerback]] || 1932–1937 || 1968 
|-
| [[Paul Krause]] || [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]] || 1964–1967 || 1998 
|-
| '''[[Ken Houston]]''' || [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]] || 1973–1980 || 1986 
|-
| '''[[Sammy Baugh]]''' || [[Quarterback]] / [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]] / [[Punter (American football)|punter]] || 1937–1952 || 1963 
|-
| '''[[Wayne Millner]]''' || [[Tight end]] / [[defensive end]] || 1936–1941 || 1968 
|-
| '''[[John Riggins]]''' || [[Running back]] || 1976–1985 || 1992 
|-
| '''[[Chris Hanburger]]''' || [[Linebacker]] || 1965–1978 || 2011 
|-
| '''[[Sam Huff]]''' || [[Linebacker]] || 1964–1969 || 1982 
|-
| '''[[Art Monk]]''' || [[Wide receiver]] || 1980–1993 || 2008 
|-
| [[Dick Stanfel]] || [[Offensive guard]] || 1956–1958 || 2016 
|-
| [[Champ Bailey]] || [[Cornerback]] || 1999–2003 || 2019 
|-
|'''[[Turk Edwards]]'''
|[[Offensive tackle]] / [[defensive tackle]]
|1932–1940
|1969
|-
|'''[[Darrell Green]]'''
|[[Cornerback]]
|1983–2002
|2008
|-
|'''[[Bill Dudley]]'''
|[[Running back]] / [[cornerback]]
|1950–1953
|1966
|-
|'''[[Charley Taylor]]'''
|[[Wide receiver]]
|1964–1977
|1984
|-
|'''[[Bobby Mitchell]]'''
|[[Running back]] / [[wide receiver]]
|1962–1968
|1983
|-
|'''[[Russ Grimm]]'''
|[[Offensive guard]]
|1981–1991
|2010
|-
|[[Bruce Smith]]
|[[Defensive end]]
|2000–2003
|2009
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Coaches and executives in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Name
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Seasons
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Inducted
|-
|'''[[George Allen (coach)|George Allen]]''' || [[Coach (sport)|Head coach]] || 1971–1977 || 2002 
|-
|'''[[Joe Gibbs]]''' || Head coach || 1981–1992<br />2004–2007 || 1996 
|-
|[[Vince Lombardi]] || Head coach || 1969 || 1971 
|-
|'''[[Bobby Beathard]]''' || General manager || 1978–1989 || 2018 
|-
|'''[[Ray Flaherty]]'''
|Head coach
|1936–1942
|1976
|-
|[[Curly Lambeau]]
|Head coach
|1952–1953
|1963
|-
|'''[[George Preston Marshall]]'''
|Founder / owner
|1932–1969
|1963
|}

===Ring of Fame===
When the team left [[RFK Stadium]] in 1996, the signs commemorating the Washington Hall of Stars were left behind and the team began a new tradition of honoring Redskins greats via the "Ring of Fame", a set of signs on the upper level facade at Northwest Stadium. Team founder [[George Preston Marshall]] is the only member to ever be removed, which happened in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Redskins removing name of former owner George Preston Marshall from Ring of Fame |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29358399/source-redskins-removing-name-former-owner-george-preston-marshall-ring-fame |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626054942/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29358399/source-redskins-removing-name-former-owner-george-preston-marshall-ring-fame |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ring of Fame |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/ring-of-fame |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202153016/https://www.commanders.com/team/history/ring-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="auto"
|+ Washington Commanders Ring of Fame members
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|No.
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Tenure
|-
| — || [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] || Head coach || 1971–1977
|-
| 41 || [[Mike Bass]] || [[Cornerback|CB]] || 1969–1975<ref>{{Cite web|title=Washington Commanders to induct Mike Bass into Ring of Fame during 2022 season opener|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-commanders-induct-mike-bass-into-ring-of-fame|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=Commanders.com|archive-date=August 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804162611/https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-commanders-induct-mike-bass-into-ring-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 20 || [[Cliff Battles]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1932–1937
|-
| 33 || [[Sammy Baugh]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1937–1952
|-
| — || [[Bobby Beathard]] || General manager || 1978–1988
|-
| 53 || [[Jeff Bostic]] || [[Center (gridiron football)|C]] || 1980–1993
|-
| 80 || [[Gene Brito]] || [[Defensive end|DE]] || 1951–1953<br />1955–1958
|-
| 43 || [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1969–1976
|-
| 65 || [[Dave Butz]] || [[Defensive tackle|DT]] || 1975–1988
|-
| 84 || [[Gary Clark (American football)|Gary Clark]] || [[Wide receiver|WR]] || 1985–1992
|-
| 51 || [[Monte Coleman]] || [[Linebacker|LB]] || 1979–1994
|-
| — || [[Jack Kent Cooke]] || Owner / chairman || 1961–1997
|-
| 35 || [[Bill Dudley]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1950–1951, 1953
|-
| — || [[Wayne Curry]] || [[Prince George's County]] executive || 1994–2002
|-
| 37 || [[Pat Fischer]] || [[Cornerback|CB]] || 1968–1977
|-
| 59 || [[London Fletcher]] || [[Linebacker|LB]] || 2007–2013
|-
| — || [[Joe Gibbs]] || Head coach || 1981–1992<br />2004–2007
|-
| 28 || [[Darrell Green]] || [[Cornerback|CB]] || 1983–2002
|-
| 68 || [[Russ Grimm]] || [[Guard (gridiron football)|G]] || 1981–1991
|-
| 55 || [[Chris Hanburger]] || [[Linebacker|LB]] || 1965–1978
|-
| 57 || [[Ken Harvey (American football)|Ken Harvey]] || [[Linebacker|LB]] || 1994–1998
|-
| 56 || [[Len Hauss]] || [[Center (gridiron football)|C]] || 1964–1977
|-
| — || Phil Hochberg || [[Public address|PA announcer]] || 1963–2000
|-
| 27 || [[Ken Houston]] || [[Safety (gridiron football position)|S]] || 1973–1980
|-
| 70 || [[Sam Huff]] || [[Linebacker|LB]] || 1964–1967, 1969
|-
| 66 || [[Joe Jacoby]] || [[Offensive tackle|OT]] || 1981–1993
|-
| 47 || [[Dick James (American football)|Dick James]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1956–1963
|-
| 9 || [[Sonny Jurgensen]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1964–1974
|-
| 22 || [[Charlie Justice (halfback)|Charlie Justice]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1950, 1952–1954
|-
| 17 || [[Billy Kilmer]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1971–1978
|-
| 14 || [[Eddie LeBaron]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1952–1953<br />1955–1959
|-
| — || [[Vince Lombardi]] || Head coach || 1969
|-
| 72 || [[Dexter Manley]] || [[Defensive end|DE]] || 1981–1989
|-
| 71 || [[Charles Mann (American football)|Charles Mann]] || [[Defensive end|DE]] || 1983–1993
|-
| 40 || [[Wayne Millner]] || [[End (gridiron football)|E]] || 1936–1941, 1945
|-
| 49 || [[Bobby Mitchell]] || [[Halfback (American football)|HB]] / executive || 1962–2002
|-
| 30 || [[Brian Mitchell (running back)|Brian Mitchell]] || [[Running back|RB]] / [[Return specialist|RS]] || 1990–1999
|-
| 81 || [[Art Monk]] || [[Wide receiver|WR]] || 1980–1993
|-
| 3 || [[Mark Moseley]] || [[Placekicker|K]] || 1974–1986
|-
| 23 || [[Brig Owens]] || [[Cornerback|CB]] || 1966–1977
|-
| 16 || [[Richie Petitbon]] || [[Safety (gridiron football position)|S]] / coach || 1971–1972<br />1978–1993
|-
| 65 || [[Vince Promuto]] || [[Guard (gridiron football)|G]] || 1960–1970
|-
| 44 || [[John Riggins]] || [[Running back|RB]] || 1976–1979<br />1981–1985
|-
| 11 || [[Mark Rypien]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1986–1993
|-
| 60 || [[Chris Samuels]] || [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|T]] || 2000–2009
|-
| 87 || [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]] || [[Tight end|TE]] || 1965–1977
|-
| 42 || [[Charley Taylor]] || [[Wide receiver|WR]] || 1964–1977
|-
| 21 || [[Sean Taylor]] || [[Safety (gridiron football position)|S]] || 2004–2007
|-
| 7 || [[Joe Theismann]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1974–1985
|-
| — || Bubba Tyer || Athletic trainer || 1971–2002<br />2004–2008
|-
| 17 || [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]] || [[Quarterback|QB]] || 1986–1989
|}

===90 Greatest===
In honor of the Redskins' 70th anniversary in 2002, a panel selected the 70 Greatest Redskins to honor the players and coaches who were significant on-field contributors to the Redskins five championships. They were honored in a weekend of festivities, including a special halftime ceremony during a Redskins' win over the [[2002 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]].<ref name="greatest">{{Cite web |title=80 Greatest Redskins |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/80-greatest-redskins |url-status=dead |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605083320/https://www.redskins.com/team/history/80-greatest-redskins }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kring-Schreifels |first=Jake |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Rewarding Moments In Redskins History: 70 Greatest Honored |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/rewarding-moments-in-redskins-history-70-greatest-honored |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407094153/https://www.redskins.com/news/rewarding-moments-in-redskins-history-70-greatest-honored |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, ten more players and personnel were added to the list for the team's 80th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=August 24, 2012 |title=Ten Newest Greatest Redskins Announced |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/ten-newest-greatest-redskins-announced-8049634 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193927/https://www.redskins.com/news/ten-newest-greatest-redskins-announced-8049634 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, ten more players were added in honor of the franchise's 90th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|work=Commanders.com|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-inductees-to-greatest-players-list|title=Commanders announce inductees to 'Greatest Players' list|date=September 1, 2022|accessdate=September 2, 2022|first=Zach|last=Selby|archive-date=September 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901212104/https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-inductees-to-greatest-players-list|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The panel that chose the 70 consisted of former news anchor [[Bernard Shaw (journalist)|Bernard Shaw]]; former player [[Bobby Mitchell]]; Senator [[George Allen (U.S. politician)|George Allen]] (son of coach [[George Allen (coach)|George Allen]]); broadcaster [[Ken Beatrice]]; Noel Epstein, editor for the [[Washington Post]]; former diplomat [[Joseph J. Sisco]]; Phil Hochberg, who retired in 2001 after 38 years as team stadium announcer; Pro Football Hall of Fame historian Joe Horrigan; sportscaster [[George Michael (sportscaster)|George Michael]]; sports director [[Andy Pollin]]; NFL Films president [[Steven Sabol]]; and news anchor [[Jim Vance]].<ref name="greatest" />

The list includes three head coaches and 67 players, of which 41 were offensive players, 23 defensive players and three special teams players.<ref name="greatest" /> Among the 70 Greatest, there are 92 [[Super Bowl]] appearances, with 47 going once and 45 playing in more than one. 29 members possess one Super Bowl ring and 26 have more than one. Also, before the Super Bowl, members of the 70 made 18 World Championship appearances including six that participated in the Redskins' NFL Championship victories in 1937 and 1942.<ref name="greatest" /> '''Bold''' indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ 90 Greatest Washington Commanders
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|No.
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Tenure
|-
| 21
| [[Terry Allen (running back)|Terry Allen]]
| RB
| 1995–1998
|-
| 56
| [[LaVar Arrington]]
| LB
| 2000–2005
|-
| 24
| '''[[Champ Bailey]]'''
| CB
| 1999–2003
|-
| 41
| [[Mike Bass]]
| CB
| 1969–1975
|-
| 20
| '''[[Cliff Battles]]'''
| B
| 1932–1937
|-
| 33
| '''[[Sammy Baugh]]'''
| QB
| 1937–1952
|-
| 31
| [[Don Bosseler]]
| FB
| 1957–1964
|-
| 53
| [[Jeff Bostic]]
| C
| 1980–1993
|-
| 4
| [[Mike Bragg]]
| P
| 1968–1979
|-
| 80
| [[Gene Brito]]
| DE
| 1951–1953<br />1955–1958
|-
| 43
| [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]]
| RB
| 1969–1976
|-
| 77
| [[Bill Brundige]]
| DE
| 1970–1977
|-
| 65
| [[Dave Butz]]
| DT
| 1975–1988
|-
| 21
| [[Earnest Byner]]
| RB
| 1989–1993
|-
| 84
| [[Gary Clark (American football)|Gary Clark]]
| WR
| 1985–1992
|-
| 51
| [[Monte Coleman]]
| LB
| 1979–1994
|-
| 47
| [[Chris Cooley]]
| TE
| 2004–2012
|-
| 48
| [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]]
| RB
| 1996–2002
|-
| 53
| [[Al DeMao]]
| C
| 1945–1953
|-
| 36
| [[Chuck Drazenovich]]
| LB
| 1950–1959
|-
| 35
| '''[[Bill Dudley]]'''
| RB
| 1950–1951, 1953
|-
| 17
| '''[[Turk Edwards]]'''
| OT
| 1932–1940
|-
| 44
| [[Andy Farkas]]
| FB
| 1938–1944
|-
| 37
| [[Pat Fischer]]
| CB
| 1968–1977
|-
| 59
| [[London Fletcher]]
| LB
| 2007–2013
|-
| 77
| [[Darryl Grant]]
| DT
| 1981–1990
|-
| 28
| '''[[Darrell Green]]'''
| CB
| 1983–2002
|-
| 68
| '''[[Russ Grimm]]'''
| G
| 1981–1991
|-
| 23
| [[DeAngelo Hall]]
| CB
| 2008–2017
|-
| 55
| '''[[Chris Hanburger]]'''
| LB
| 1965–1978
|-
| 57
| [[Ken Harvey (American football)|Ken Harvey]]
| LB
| 1994–1998
|-
| 56
| [[Len Hauss]]
| C
| 1964–1977
|-
| 75
| [[Terry Hermeling]]
| OT
| 1970–1980
|-
| 27
| '''[[Ken Houston]]'''
| S
| 1973–1980
|-
| 70
| '''[[Sam Huff]]'''
| LB
| 1964–1967, 1969
|-
| 66
| [[Joe Jacoby]]
| OT/G
| 1981–1993
|-
| 47
| [[Dick James (American football)|Dick James]]
| RB
| 1955–1963
|-
| 76
| [[Jon Jansen]]
| OT
| 1999–2008
|-
| 80
| [[Roy Jefferson]]
| WR
| 1971–1976
|-
| 9
| '''[[Sonny Jurgensen]]'''
| QB
| 1964–1974
|-
| 22
| [[Charlie Justice (halfback)|Charlie Justice]]
| RB
| 1950, 1952–1954
|-
| 91
| [[Ryan Kerrigan]]
| LB/DE
| 2011–2020
|-
| 17
| [[Billy Kilmer]]
| QB
| 1971–1978
|-
| 26
| '''[[Paul Krause]]'''
| S
| 1964–1967
|-
| 79
| [[Jim Lachey]]
| OT
| 1988–1995
|-
| 14
| [[Eddie LeBaron]]
| QB
| 1952–1953<br />1955–1959
|-
| 72
| [[Dexter Manley]]
| DE
| 1981–1989
|-
| 71
| [[Charles Mann (American football)|Charles Mann]]
| DE
| 1983–1993
|-
| 58
| [[Wilber Marshall]]
| LB
| 1988–1992
|-
| 73
| [[Mark May]]
| OT
| 1981–1989
|-
| 79
| [[Ron McDole]]
| DE
| 1971–1978
|-
| 63
| [[Raleigh McKenzie]]
| G
| 1985–1994
|-
| 53
| [[Harold McLinton]]
| LB
| 1969–1978
|-
| 40
| '''[[Wayne Millner]]'''
| E/DE
| 1936–1941, 1945
|-
| 49
| '''[[Bobby Mitchell]]'''
| FL
| 1962–1968
|-
| 30
| [[Brian Mitchell (running back)|Brian Mitchell]]
| RB/RS
| 1990–1999
|-
| 81
| '''[[Art Monk]]'''
| WR
| 1980–1993
|-
| 3
| [[Mark Moseley]]
| K
| 1974–1986
|-
| 89
| [[Santana Moss]]
| WR
| 2005–2014
|-
| 29
| [[Mark Murphy (American football executive)|Mark Murphy]]
| S
| 1977–1984
|-
| 21
| [[Mike Nelms]]
| KR
| 1980–1984
|-
| 52
| [[Neal Olkewicz]]
| LB
| 1979–1989
|-
| 23
| [[Brig Owens]]
| DB
| 1966–1977
|-
| 26
| [[Clinton Portis]]
| RB
| 2004–2010
|-
| 65
| [[Vince Promuto]]
| G
| 1960–1970
|-
| 44
| '''[[John Riggins]]'''
| RB
| 1976–1979<br />1981–1985
|-
| 11
| [[Mark Rypien]]
| QB
| 1987–1993
|-
| 83
| [[Ricky Sanders]]
| WR
| 1986–1993
|-
| 60
| [[Chris Samuels]]
| OT
| 2000–2009
|-
| 76
| [[Ed Simmons]]
| OT
| 1987–1997
|-
| 87
| [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]]
| TE
| 1965–1977
|-
| 60
| '''[[Dick Stanfel]]'''
| G
| 1956–1958
|-
| 74
| [[George Starke]]
| OT
| 1973–1984
|-
| 72
| [[Diron Talbert]]
| DT
| 1971–1980
|-
| 42
| '''[[Charley Taylor]]'''
| WR
| 1964–1977
|-
| 84
| [[Hugh Taylor (American football)|Hugh Taylor]]
| WR
| 1947–1954
|-
| 21
| [[Sean Taylor]]
| S
| 2004–2007
|-
| 7
| [[Joe Theismann]]
| QB
| 1974–1985
|-
| 67
| [[Rusty Tillman]]
| LB
| 1970–1977
|-
| 85
| [[Don Warren]]
| TE
| 1979–1992
|-
| 25
| [[Joe Washington]]
| RB
| 1981–1984
|-
| 17
| [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]]
| QB
| 1986–1989
|-
| 71
| [[Trent Williams]]
| OT
| 2010–2019
|-
| —
| '''[[George Allen (coach)|George Allen]]'''
| Head coach
| 1971–1977
|-
| —
| '''[[Bobby Beathard]]'''
| General manager
| 1978–1989
|-
| —
| [[Joe Bugel]]
| OL coach
| 1981–1989<br />2004–2009
|-
| —
| '''[[Ray Flaherty]]'''
| Head coach
| 1936–1942
|-
| —
| '''[[Joe Gibbs]]'''
| Head coach
| 1981–1992<br />2004–2007
|-
| —
| [[Larry Peccatiello]]
| Defensive coordinator
| 1981–1993
|-
| —
| [[Richie Petitbon]]
| Defensive coordinator
| 1978–1992
|}

===Individual awards===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| 1972 || [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|-
| 1982 || [[Mark Moseley]] ||[[Placekicker|K]]
|-
| 1983 || [[Joe Theismann]] ||[[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year|Offensive Player of the Year]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| 1972 || [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|-
| 1983 || [[Joe Theismann]] || [[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Rookie of the Year#Offensive|Offensive Rookie of the Year]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| 1975 || [[Mike Thomas (running back)|Mike Thomas]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|-
| 2012 || [[Robert Griffin III]] || [[Quarterback|QB]]
|-
| 2024 || [[Jayden Daniels]] || QB
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Rookie of the Year#Defensive|Defensive Rookie of the Year]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| 2020 || [[Chase Young]] || [[Defensive end|DE]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year|Comeback Player of the Year]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| 2020 || [[Alex Smith]] || [[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[AP NFL Coach of the Year|Coach of the Year]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Season
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Coach
|-
| 1971 || [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]]
|-
| 1979 || [[Jack Pardee]]
|-
| 1982 ||rowspan="2"| [[Joe Gibbs]]
|-
| 1983
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ [[Super Bowl MVP]]
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Super Bowl
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Player
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Position
|-
| [[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]] || [[John Riggins]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|-
| [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]] || [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]] || [[Quarterback|QB]]
|-
| [[Super Bowl XXVI|XXVI]] || [[Mark Rypien]] || [[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

==Staff==
==={{anchor|Washington Commanders owners}}Owners===
{| class="wikitable unsortable" width="auto"
|+ List of franchise owners
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Owner
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Years
! style="{{Gridiron primary style|Washington Commanders|year=2024|border=2}}"|Notes
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{ubl|[[File:George Marshall 1937.jpg|125px]]{{nowrap|[[George Preston Marshall]]}}}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|1932–1965}}
| Founded the team in [[1932 Boston Braves (NFL) season|1932]] as the Boston Braves. Renamed them the Redskins the following year and relocated the franchise to Washington, D.C., in [[1937 Washington Redskins season|1937]]. Last owner in the NFL to integrate black players, refusing to do so until 1962 amid pressure from the U.S. government. Suffered various health ailments by the early 1960s, granting a conservatorship to board members Charles Leo DeOrsey, [[Edward Bennett Williams]], and Milton King in [[1963 Washington Redskins|1963]]. Oversaw [[NFL Championship]]s in 1937 and [[1942 Washington Redskins season|1942]].
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{ubl|[[File:Edward Bennett Williams.jpg|125px]]|{{nowrap|[[Edward Bennett Williams]]}}}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|1965–1979}}
| Appointed by Marshall in [[1965 Washington Redskins|1965]] to manage the team in his stead. Acquired Marshall's shares in the franchise following his death in 1969. Served as team president from [[1966 Washington Redskins|1966]] to [[1984 Washington Redskins|1984]]. Oversaw an [[NFC Championship]] in [[1972 Washington Redskins season|1972]].
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{ubl|[[File:Jack Kent Cooke circa 1955 (cropped).jpg|125px]]|{{nowrap|[[Jack Kent Cooke]]}}}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|1979–1997}}
| A minority shareholder since 1961 and vice president since 1965, Cooke purchased majority interest from Williams in [[1974 Washington Redskins|1974]] and replaced him as controlling owner in [[1979 Washington Redskins season|1979]]. Led the construction of Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, now [[Northwest Stadium]], which opened in 1997. Oversaw [[Super Bowl]] wins in [[1982 Washington Redskins season|1982]], [[1987 Washington Redskins season|1987]], and [[1991 Washington Redskins season|1991]]. Died in 1997.
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|John Kent Cooke}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|1997–1999}}
| Cooke, the son of Jack, operated the franchise following his father's death. He had previously been the team's executive vice president since 1981.
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{ubl|[[File:Dan Snyder Washington Commanders Reveal (51858871386) (cropped2).jpg|125px]]|{{nowrap|[[Daniel Snyder]]}}}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|1999–2023}}
| Acquired the team from Cooke's estate in [[1999 Washington Redskins season|1999]] for $800 million. Considered to be one of the worst owners in the history of professional sports, a 2022 [[United States Congress]] report found Snyder fostered a workplace rife with sexual misconduct and bullying and was liable for financial improprieties such as withholding security deposits from season ticket holders and paying hush money to accusers. 

Opposed calls to change the [[Washington Redskins name controversy|controversial Redskins branding]] until 2020 amid growing pressure from sponsors, with the franchise playing as the Washington Football Team prior to rebranding as the Commanders in [[2022 Washington Commanders season|2022]]. Represented by his wife [[Tanya Snyder|Tanya]] for league events following an indefinite suspension by the NFL in 2021.
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| {{ubl|[[File:Josh Harris Commanders 2023.jpg|125px]]|{{nowrap|[[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]]}}}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{nowrap|2023–present}}
| Acquired the team from Snyder in [[2023 Washington Commanders season|2023]] for $6.05 billion. Managing partner of a group that includes [[Danaher Corporation|Danaher]] and [[Glenstone]] founder [[Mitchell Rales]], Hall of Fame basketball player [[Magic Johnson]], and venture capitalist [[Mark Ein]] as limited partners. 

Other minority partners include Harris-associate [[David Blitzer]] and investors [[Lee Ainslie]], Eric Holoman, Michael Li, [[Marc Lipschultz]], Mitchell Morgan, [[Doug Ostrover]], the [[Santo Domingo family]], [[Michael Sapir]], [[Eric Schmidt]], and [[Andy Snyder]].
|}

===Front office and coaches===
{{See also|List of Washington Commanders head coaches}}
{{Washington Commanders staff}}

===Command Force===
[[file:NFL Week 3 Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (52394387450).jpg|thumb|The Command Force in 2022]]
The '''Command Force''' is the team's professional dance and performance group. They were originally formed in 1962 as a [[cheerleading]] squad known as the '''Redskinettes''', named after the team's former Redskins name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2012 |title=Remembering The 30th Anniversary Season |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/remembering-the-30th-anniversary-season-7539750 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823132427/https://www.commanders.com/news/remembering-the-30th-anniversary-season-7539750 |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=August 23, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}}</ref> They were revamped as the Command Force upon the team's rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Michael |title=Latest filing with NFL shows Commanders making strides in reforming workplace |url=https://richmond.com/sports/professional/latest-filing-with-nfl-shows-commanders-making-strides-in-reforming-workplace/article_69d81931-e415-5b23-be7e-35c9a75d9dec.html |website=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]] |date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> They have also been referred to as the '''First Ladies of Football'''.
{{clear}}

==Records==
{{Main|List of Washington Commanders team records}}

===Single-game===
* '''Passing yards''': 471 [[Brad Johnson (American football)|Brad Johnson]] (1999)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |title=Johnson, in the Throws of Victory |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/12/28/johnson-in-the-throws-of-victory/c7b0f670-e3f8-4757-8355-b4dd3977e4c6/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=December 27, 1999}}</ref>
* '''Passing touchdowns''': 6 [[Sammy Baugh]] (1943, 1947), [[Mark Rypien]] (1991)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Justice |first1=Richard |title=It's Rypien City: Six Touchdown Passes, 442 Yards : NFC: Quarterback also rushes for a score before coming out of the game five yards short of team record. Redskins improve to 10-0 by routing Falcons, 56-17. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-11-sp-820-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=November 11, 1991 |quote=His six touchdown passes tie Baugh for another team record; Baugh did it twice, in a 1943 game and one day in 1947.}}</ref>
* '''Completions''': 33 [[Jason Campbell]] (2007), [[Kirk Cousins]] (2015)
* '''Completion percentage''' (minimum 20 attempts): 91.3% [[Jayden Daniels]] (2024)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Scott |title=Eight impressive numbers from Jayden Daniels's sizzling start |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/09/25/jayden-daniels-commanders-strong-start-stats/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=September 25, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* '''Rushing yards''': 221 [[Gerald Riggs]] (1989)<ref>{{cite web |title=Flashback: Riggs' Day Set Standard |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/flashback-riggs-day-set-standard-3447397 |website=Commanders.com |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=March 20, 2009}}</ref>
* '''Rushing touchdowns''': 3 (several)
* '''Receptions''': 14 [[Roy Helu]] (2011)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kring-Schreifels |first=Jake |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Rewarding Moments In Redskins History: Helu & Gano Make History |work=Commanders.com |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/rewarding-moments-in-redskins-history-helu-gano-make-history-16226482 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193932/https://www.redskins.com/news/rewarding-moments-in-redskins-history-helu-gano-make-history-16226482 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Receiving yards''': 255 [[Anthony Allen (wide receiver)|Anthony Allen]] (1987)<ref>{{cite web |author1=Washington Commanders Public Relations |title=Redskins Honor 1987 Replacement Players With Super Bowl Rings |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-honor-1987-replacement-players-with-super-bowl-rings |website=Commanders.com |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=June 12, 2018 |quote=In Washington's first game with replacement players, the Redskins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 28-21, as wide receiver Anthony Allen finished the day with seven catches and a single-game franchise record 255 yards.}}</ref>
* '''Receiving touchdowns''': 3 (several)
* '''Tackles''': 17 [[Jessie Armstead]] (2002)
* '''Sacks''': 4 [[Dexter Manley]] (1988), [[Ken Harvey (American football)|Ken Harvey]] (1997), [[Phillip Daniels]] (2005), [[Brian Orakpo]] (2009), [[Ryan Kerrigan]] (2014)
* '''Forced fumbles''': 3 [[Ryan Anderson (linebacker)|Ryan Anderson]] (2019)
* '''Interceptions''': 4 [[DeAngelo Hall]] (2010)<ref name="o020">{{cite web | title=Hall Ties NFL, Franchise Mark With Four Interceptions | website=Commanders.com | date=December 2, 2010 | url=https://www.commanders.com/news/hall-ties-nfl-franchise-mark-with-four-interceptions-3448098 | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Field goals''': 7 [[Austin Seibert]] (2024)<ref>{{cite news |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Commanders' new kicker bails them out in sloppy win over Giants |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/09/15/commanders-giants-austin-seibert/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location= |access-date=September 15, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Punts''': 11 [[Mike Bragg]] (1976)

===Season===
* '''Passing yards''': 4,917 [[Kirk Cousins]] (2016)<ref name="PFRSeasonPassing">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Passing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-passing.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Passing touchdowns''': 31 [[Sonny Jurgensen]] (1967)<ref name="singleseason">{{Cite web |year=2002 |title=Team-by-team single-season records – Names and Numbers |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCL/is_4_32/ai_94123523 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040925113727/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCL/is_4_32/ai_94123523 |archive-date=September 25, 2004 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=Football Digest}}</ref>
* '''Completions''': 406 [[Kirk Cousins]] (2016)<ref name="PFRSeasonPassing"/>
* '''Rushing yards''': 1,613 [[Alfred Morris (American football)|Alfred Morris]] (2012)<ref name="PFRSeasonRushing">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-rushing.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Rushing touchdowns''': 24 [[John Riggins]] (1983)<ref name="PFRSeasonRushing"/>
* '''Receptions''': 113 [[Pierre Garçon]] (2013)<ref name="PFRSeasonReceiving">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-receiving.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Receiving yards''': 1,483 [[Santana Moss]] (2005)<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2006 |title=Moss, Portis Set New Franchise Marks |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/moss-portis-set-new-franchise-marks-3456351 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408200217/https://www.redskins.com/news/moss-portis-set-new-franchise-marks-3456351 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Receiving touchdowns''': 13 [[Terry McLaurin]] (2024)<ref name="PFRSeasonReceiving"/>
* '''Tackles''': 101 [[London Fletcher]] (2007)
* '''Sacks''': 18.5 [[Dexter Manley]] (1986)<ref name="x201">{{cite web| title=A Conference With the Secretary of Defense | website=Montgomery Magazine | date=April 9, 2023 | url=https://www.montgomerymag.com/a-conference-with-the-secretary-of-defense/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Forced fumbles''': 6 [[LaVar Arrington]] (2003)
* '''Interceptions''': 13 [[Dan Sandifer]] (1948)<ref name="singleseason" />
* '''Field goals''': 33 [[Mark Moseley]] (1983)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Kicking Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-kicking.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Points''': 161 [[Mark Moseley]] (1983)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Scoring Summary Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-scoring.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Kickoff return average''' (minimum 5 returns): 42.8 yards [[Hall Haynes]] (1950)<ref name="PFRSeasonReturns"/>
* '''Punts''': 103 [[Mike Bragg]] (1978), [[Tom Tupa]] (2004)<ref>{{cite web |title=Washington Commanders Single-Season Punting Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-punting.htm |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Punt return average''' (minimum 5 returns): 24.3 yards [[Derrick Shepard (wide receiver)|Derrick Shepard]] (1987)<ref name="PFRSeasonReturns">{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins Kick & Punt Returns Single-Season Register |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-returns.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206152906/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/single-season-returns.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=December 28, 2010 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>
* '''Punting average''': 51.4 yards [[Sammy Baugh]] (1940)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oldest Individual Single-Season and Single-Game Records |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=2557 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106194629/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=2557 |archive-date=January 6, 2008 |access-date=December 29, 2007 |website=Professional Football Hall of Fame}}</ref>

===Franchise===
* '''Passing yards''': 25,206 [[Joe Theismann]] (1974–1985)<ref name="PFRCareerPassing">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Passing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-passing.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Passing touchdowns''': 187 [[Sammy Baugh]] (1937–1952)<ref name="PFRCareerPassing"/>
* '''Rushing yards''': 7,472 [[John Riggins]] (1976–1979, 1981–1985)<ref name="PFRCareerRushing">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-rushing.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Rushing touchdowns''': 79 [[John Riggins]] (1976–1979, 1981–1985)<ref name="PFRCareerRushing"/>
* '''Receptions''': 889 [[Art Monk]] (1980–1993)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-receiving.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Receiving yards''': 12,029 [[Art Monk]] (1980–1993)<ref name="PFRCareerReceiving">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Rushing Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-receiving.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Receiving touchdowns''': 79 [[Charley Taylor]] (1964–1977)<ref name="PFRCareerReceiving"/>
* '''Tackles''': 1,162 [[Darrell Green]] (1983–2002)<ref name="PFRCareerDefense">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Defense Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-defense.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Sacks''': 95.5 [[Ryan Kerrigan]] (2011–2020)<ref name="s131">{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Ryan Kerrigan, Washington's all-time sacks leader, retires after 11 seasons in NFL | website=NFL.com | date=July 29, 2022 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ryan-kerrigan-retires-washington-eagles-11-seasons | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>
* '''Forced fumbles''': 26 [[Ryan Kerrigan]] (2011–2020)<ref name="PFRCareerDefense"/>
* '''Interceptions''': 54 [[Darrell Green]] (1983–2002)<ref name="PFRCareerDefense"/>
* '''Field goals''': 263 [[Mark Moseley]] (1974–1986)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Kicking Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-kicking.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Longest field goal''': 61 yards [[Joey Slye]] (2023)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breech |first1=John |title=Commanders kicker pulls off NFL rarity by drilling 61-yard field goal, sets franchise record for distance |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/commanders-kicker-pulls-off-nfl-rarity-by-drilling-61-yard-field-goal-sets-franchise-record-for-distance/ |website=CBS Sports |date=October 29, 2023 |access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref>
* '''Points''': 1,207 [[Mark Moseley]] (1974–1986)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Scoring Summary Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-scoring.htm |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Kickoff return average''' (minimum 25 returns): 28.5 [[Bobby Mitchell]] (1962–1968)<ref name="PFRCareerReturns">{{Cite web |title=Washington Commanders Career Kick & Punt Returns Leaders |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/career-returns.htm}}</ref>
* '''Punts''': 896 [[Mike Bragg]] (1968–1979)<ref>{{cite web |title=Flashback: Bragg Made His Mark |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/flashback-bragg-made-his-mark-3446201 |website=Commanders.com |access-date=October 2, 2024 |date=June 25, 2010}}</ref>
* '''Punt return average''' (minimum 25 returns): 13.8 [[Bob Seymour]] (1941–1944)<ref name="PFRCareerReturns"/>
* '''Punting average''': 45.1 [[Sammy Baugh]] (1937–1952)

===NFL===
====Offense====
* The Redskins scored 541 points in 1983, which is the sixth highest total in a season of all time.<ref name="recordscoring">{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Scoring |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/scoring |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201115816/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/scoring |archive-date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins' 72 points against the [[New York Giants]] on November 27, 1966, are the most points ever scored by an NFL team in a regular-season game, and the 72–41 score amounted to 113 points and the highest-scoring game ever in NFL history.<ref name="recordscoring" /> The second-half scoring for the game amounted to 65 points, the second-highest point total for second-half scoring and the third-highest total scoring in any half in NFL history.<ref name="recordscoring" /> The Redskins' 10 touchdowns are the most by a team in a single game, and the 16 total touchdowns are the most combined for a game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Touchdowns |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/touchdowns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228052804/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/touchdowns |archive-date=December 28, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref> The Redskins' nine [[extra point|PATs]] are the second-most all-time for a single game, and the 14 combined PATs are the most ever in a game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Points After Touchdown |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/pat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102050027/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/pat |archive-date=January 2, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins set a record for most first downs in a game with 39 in a game against the Lions on November 4, 1990. They also set a record by not allowing a single first down against the Giants on September 27, 1942.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Records: First Downs |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/firstdowns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102035159/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/firstdowns |archive-date=January 2, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins have led the league in passing eight times: in 1938, 1940, 1944, 1947–48, 1967, 1974 and 1989. Only the [[San Diego Chargers]] have led more times.<ref name="passing">{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Passing |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/passing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227171500/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/passing |archive-date=December 27, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref> The Redskins led the league in completion percentage 11 times: in 1937, 1939–1940, 1942–45, 1947–48 and 1969–1970, second only to the [[San Francisco 49ers]].<ref name="passing" /> Their four straight years from 1942 to 1945 is the second longest streak.
* The Redskins' nine sacks allowed in 1991 are the third-fewest allowed in a season.<ref name="passing" />
* The Redskins completed 43 passes in an overtime win against [[Detroit Lions|Detroit]] on November 4, 1990, second-most all-time.<ref name="passing" />

====Defense====
* The Redskins recovered eight opponent's fumbles against the [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]] on October 25, 1976, the most ever in one game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Fumbles |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/fumbles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113044845/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/fumbles |archive-date=January 13, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins allowed 82 first downs in [[1937 Washington Redskins season|1937]], third fewest all-time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Records: First Downs |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/firstdowns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113225051/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/firstdowns |archive-date=January 13, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins have led the league in fewest total yards allowed five times, 1935–37, 1939, and 1946, which is the third most.<ref name="fewestyards">{{Cite web |title=Defense Records: Net Yards Allowed |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/netyards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117235537/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/netyards |archive-date=January 17, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref> Their three consecutive years from 1935 to 1937 is an NFL record.<ref name="fewestyards" />
* The Redskins have led the league in fewest passing yards allowed seven times, in 1939, 1942, 1945, 1952–53, 1980, and 1985, second only to Green Bay (10).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Records: Passing |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/passing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112155007/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/passing |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins had 61 defensive turnovers in [[1983 Washington Redskins season|1983]], the third most all-time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Records: Turnovers |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/turnovers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127140638/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/turnovers |archive-date=January 27, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref> The turnover differential of +43 that year was the highest of all time.
* The Redskins had only 12 defensive turnovers in [[2006 Washington Redskins season|2006]], the fewest in a 16-game season and second all time (the [[Baltimore Colts]] had 11 turnovers in the strike-shortened [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]] which lasted only nine games.)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Records: Turnovers |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/turnovers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504035342/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/def/turnovers |archive-date=May 4, 2008 |access-date=July 16, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>

====Special teams====
* The Redskins led the league in field goals for eight seasons, {{nfly|1945}}, {{nfly|1956}}, {{nfly|1971}}, {{nfly|1976}}–77, {{nfly|1979}}, {{nfly|1982}}, {{nfly|1992}}. Only the [[Green Bay Packers]] have ever led more.<ref name="fieldgoals">{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Field goals |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/fieldgoals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224090641/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/fieldgoals |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>
* The Redskins and Bears attempted an NFL record 11 field goals on November 14, 1971, and the Redskins and Giants tied that mark on November 14, 1976.<ref name="fieldgoals" />
* The Redskins 28 consecutive games, from {{nfly|1988}} to {{nfly|1990}}, scoring a field goal is third all time.<ref name="fieldgoals" />
* The Redskins have led the league in punting average six times, in 1940–43, 1945, and 1958, second only to the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref name="punting">{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Punting |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/punting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227144123/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/punting |archive-date=December 27, 2007 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref> Their four consecutive years from 1940 to 1943 is an NFL record.<ref name="punting" />
* The Redskins have led the league in average kickoff return yards eight times, in 1942, 1947, 1962–63, 1973–74, 1981, and 1995, more than any other team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Records: Kickoff returns |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/kickreturns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226171715/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/kickreturns |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=January 12, 2008 |website=National Football League}}</ref>

==Broadcasting==
{{Main|List of Washington Commanders broadcasters}}
[[File:Washington Redskins radio affiliates.png|thumb|Map of radio affiliates]]

The Commanders' [[flagship station]] is [[Big 100]] (WBIG-FM), which acquired the rights in 2022 as part of an agreement with [[iHeartMedia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Commanders announce new radio deal to air games on BIG 100 FM |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/04/12/commanders-iheart-radio-broadcast-partner/ |access-date=April 13, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> [[Frank Herzog]] served the team's lead [[play-by-play]] announcer from 1979 until 2004, when he was replaced by Larry Michael.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Larry Michael: D.C.'s most versatile voice |url=http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2005/01/31/Sports/Larry.Michael.D.c.s.Most.Versatile.Voice-846364.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529234914/http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2005/01/31/Sports/Larry.Michael.D.c.s.Most.Versatile.Voice-846364.shtml |archive-date=May 29, 2008 |access-date=December 27, 2007 |website=GW Hatchet}}</ref> Herzog was joined from 1981 by former Redskins [[Sonny Jurgensen]] and [[Sam Huff]].<ref name="Pals">{{cite news |last1=Farhi |first1=Paul |date=March 23, 2010 |title=Pals reunite on-air with Frank Herzog, 'the voice' of the Redskins |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/22/AR2010032202556.html |accessdate=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011332/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/22/AR2010032202556.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Robert "Sam" Huff: Academy of Distinguished Alumni |url=http://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/1990/robert_huff/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522131242/http://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/1990/robert_huff |archive-date=May 22, 2008 |access-date=June 28, 2008 |work=West Virginia University}}</ref><ref name="Allen">{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Scott |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Redskins games will be back on WMAL for first time since last Super Bowl win |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/02/16/redskins-games-will-be-back-on-wmal-for-first-time-since-last-super-bowl-win/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403015047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/02/16/redskins-games-will-be-back-on-wmal-for-first-time-since-last-super-bowl-win/ |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Michael retired in 2020 and was replaced by [[Bram Weinstein]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=July 15, 2020 |title=Larry Michael, longtime radio voice of Washington's NFL team, retires |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/15/larry-michael-retires-washington-nfl-team/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716020340/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/15/larry-michael-retires-washington-nfl-team/ |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=August 11, 2020 |title=Bram Weinstein, DeAngelo Hall to join Washington Football Team's revamped radio broadcast |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/11/bram-weinstein-deangelo-hall-join-washington-football-teams-revamped-radio-broadcast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812134600/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/11/bram-weinstein-deangelo-hall-join-washington-football-teams-revamped-radio-broadcast/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Weinstein is joined by color commentators and former players [[London Fletcher]] and [[Logan Paulsen]]. [[Julie Donaldson]] served as host from 2020 to 2023 and was the first woman to be an on-air broadcaster for an NFL team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manning |first1=Bryan |date=April 22, 2022 |title=DeAngelo Hall stepping away from Commanders radio broadcast team |url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/21/deangelo-hall-stepping-away-from-the-washington-commanders-radio-broadcast-team-redskins-nfl-cornerback/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=Washington Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Julie Donaldson to Become First Regular Female Member of an NFL Radio Broadcast |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/julie-donaldson-to-become-first-regular-female-member-of-an-nfl-radio-broadcast/2367681/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904091416/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/julie-donaldson-to-become-first-regular-female-member-of-an-nfl-radio-broadcast/2367681/ |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2020 |website=NBC 4 Washington}}</ref>

[[WSBN|WMAL]] served as the team's flagship station from 1942 to 1956 and from 1963 through 1991.<ref name="Pals" /><ref name="Allen" /> From 1992 to 1994, [[WTEM]]—which had become DC's first all-sports radio station—became the Redskins' flagship station after which they moved to [[WJFK-FM]].<ref name="Allen" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Leonard |date=March 11, 1995 |title=WJFK-FM Lands Redskins |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/03/11/wjfk-fm-lands-redskins/03dd9d1b-dc07-4def-9c1f-b48748f70244/ |access-date=June 29, 2022}}</ref> In 2006, after WJFK and [[CBS Radio]] declined to renew its rights to the team, the Redskins moved to [[WWXT]], [[WWXX]], and [[WTNT (AM)|WXTR]]. The stations had recently been bought by [[Red Zebra Broadcasting]]—a group co-owned by Snyder—and had become a sports radio [[trimulcast]] known as "Triple X [[ESPN Radio]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Farhi |first1=Paul |last2=Heath |first2=Thomas |date=July 18, 2006 |title=Snyder Is Getting Radio Active |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701313.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216054635/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701313.html |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Red Zebra Broadcasting would eventually acquire WTEM in 2008, making it the originating station of the simulcast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=July 17, 2008 |title=Snyder's Simulcast Plans Center on WTEM |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/16/AR2008071602425.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626131811/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/16/AR2008071602425.html |archive-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Allen" />

In 2017, [[Cumulus Media]] reached an agreement to carry the team's radio broadcasts on WMAL, marking its return to the station for the first time since 1991. As part of the agreement, WTEM remained the team's official flagship.<ref name="Allen" /> In 2018, WTEM was sold to [[Urban One]], but maintained its rights to the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=May 23, 2018 |title=Urban One Acquires 980 WTEM Washington From Redskins |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168506/urban-one-acquires-980-wtem-washington-from-redskins/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813072318/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168506/urban-one-acquires-980-wtem-washington-from-redskins/ |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |access-date=May 23, 2018 |website=RadioInsight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paras |first=Matthew |date=May 21, 2018 |title=Dan Snyder sells The Team 980 to Urban One |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/21/dan-snyder-sells-team-980-urban-one/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726175319/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/21/dan-snyder-sells-team-980-urban-one/ |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=May 21, 2018 |website=Washington Times}}</ref> In June 2019, WMAL flipped to sports radio itself as [[WSBN]], taking over the local ESPN Radio affiliation from WTEM; WMAL's previous [[conservative talk]] format moved exclusively to its [[WMAL-FM|FM simulcast station]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=June 14, 2019 |title=ESPN and Cumulus will launch a new D.C. ESPN Radio station |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/espn-cumulus-dc-sports-radio-redskins.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615115453/https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/espn-cumulus-dc-sports-radio-redskins.html |archive-date=June 15, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |website=Awful Announcing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2019 |title=WMAL-A-F/Washington, D.C. To Split Simulcast, AM To Flip To Sports As ESPN 630, The Sports Capitol |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/187183/wmal-a-f-washington-d-c-to-split-simulcast-am-to-f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702014601/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/187183/wmal-a-f-washington-d-c-to-split-simulcast-am-to-f |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |website=All Access}}</ref>

Telecasts of preseason games were previously carried by [[NBC Sports Washington]] in the [[Mid-Atlantic states|Mid-Atlantic]] region. Sister [[NBC]] owned-and-operated station [[WRC-TV]] was the team's "official" broadcast television station, simulcasting the preseason games and airing other team-produced programs during the season.<ref name="Sports Business Journal-2023">{{Cite web |last=Ourand |first=John |date=March 20, 2023 |title=SBJ Media: 'Intense' RSN negotiations |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2023/03/20.aspx |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2009 |title=Redskins Expand Partnership With NBC4 |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-expand-partnership-with-nbc4-3446735 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Washington Redskins |language=en-US}}</ref> With the sale of NBC Sports Washington by [[NBCUniversal]] to [[Washington Capitals]] and [[Washington Wizards]] owner [[Ted Leonsis]], the network declined to renew its rights to the team.<ref name="Sports Business Journal-2023" /> Most regular season Commanders games are carried by ''[[NFL on Fox]]''. In June 2024, the team and [[WUSA (TV)|WUSA]] announced a partnership to broadcast the team's preseason games as well as some original content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Official television station of the Washington Commanders: WUSA9 announces new partnership |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/nfl/washington-commanders/wusa9-is-the-dmvs-official-television-station-of-the-washington-commanders/65-f5ae1e94-a823-4677-9e92-ebad20fcf3b8 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=WUSA9 |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608071930/https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/nfl/washington-commanders/wusa9-is-the-dmvs-official-television-station-of-the-washington-commanders/65-f5ae1e94-a823-4677-9e92-ebad20fcf3b8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==U.S. presidential election superstition==
{{Main|Redskins Rule}}
Between 1932 and 2008, for 19 of 20 [[United States presidential election]]s, a win for the Redskins in their last home game prior to [[Election Day (United States)|Election Day]] coincided with the incumbent party winning re-election. The exception was in 2004, when [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent [[George W. Bush]] won re-election despite the [[Green Bay Packers]] beating the Redskins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Alexander |date=November 4, 2008 |title=McCain gets bad sign? |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/04/mccain-gets-bad-sign/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016053133/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/04/mccain-gets-bad-sign/ |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The trend subsequently came to an end when in 2012, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent [[Barack Obama]] won re-election despite the Redskins losing to the [[Carolina Panthers]]. It has since been wrong for the elections in 2016, 2020, and 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Joseph |date=November 4, 2012 |title=Panthers Beat Redskins 21–13: Cam Newton Outplays RG3, Carolina Breaks 5-Game Skid |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/04/panthers-redskins-21-13-cam-newton-rg3-carolina_n_2073590.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016053133/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/04/panthers-redskins-21-13-cam-newton-rg3-carolina_n_2073590.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |website=[[Huffington Post]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name="i822">{{cite news | last=Allen | first=Scott | title=Redskins Rule used to predict elections, but the guy who discovered it now says it's a crock | newspaper=Washington Post | date=October 20, 2016 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/10/20/redskins-rule-used-to-predict-elections-but-the-guy-who-discovered-it-now-says-its-a-crock/ | access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Washington Commanders}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{URL|https://www.nfl.com/teams/washington-commanders/|NFL.com page}}
* {{URL|https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/|Pro Football Reference page}}

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