Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (2024)

By Jason Kurtz, Adrienne Vogt, Mike Hayes and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 11:45 AM EST, Wed February 2, 2022

What we covered here

  • The Washington Football Team has officially changed its name to the Commanders.
  • The NFL franchise was known for 83 years as the Redskins, but ditched the name in 2020 due to racist connotations.
  • For the past two seasons, the franchise has simply been known as the Washington Football Team while the team explored new naming opportunities.

Our live coverage of today’s announcement has ended. You can read more about the team’s new name here.

9 Posts

Here's what the Washington Commanders' new logos look like

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

New logo, who dis?

The Washington Commanders are offering football fans a look at the team’s brand new logos and imagery.

In a tweet from the club’s official account, the team posted a trio of images, adding “New name, new marks” for context.

Washington Commanders continue revealing new uniforms

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

The new-look Washington Commanders are sharing additional versions of the team’s uniforms on the franchise’s official Twitter feed.

Defensive end Chase Young is shown wearing a predominantly white look in one tweet, with the simple caption, “Ice cold 🥶.”

Team captain and 2021 Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is featured in a mostly black look with the caption “Burgundy & Gold x Black & Bold.”

And wide receiver Terry McLaurin wears the team’s most traditional coloring, burgundy and gold.

Commanders name honors location while "forging a pathway to a new era," team co-owner says

Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (3)

Team co-owner Dan Snyder speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team's name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland.

The name of the Washington Commanders signifies its location in the nation’s capital and pays homage to its history, according to the team’s co-owner and co-CEO Dan Snyder.

The statement also noted that the primary logo of the team is “a powerful ‘W.’”

“This symbol carries forward an element of the Washington Football Team chapter in the franchise’s history and acknowledges the team’s deep Washington roots, while the W’s angled cuts, bolded lines and serifs signify forward movement and progress. The slanted elements of the stripes bordering the ‘W’ are inspired by military rank insignia, helping to infuse the familiar mark with elements of the team’s new identity,” according to the statement.

The statement notes that the team will work over the next two years with fans on a new banner, fight song and second alternate uniform.

Washington Commanders show off new uniforms

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

Washington has unveiled new uniforms to pair with the launch of its rebranded team nickname, the Commanders.

With a post from the team’s official Twitter feed, the Commanders shared a look at the franchise’s new home, road and alternate uniforms.

The team also shared its new rallying crying and custom hashtag: #TakeCommand

Go Commanders!: Washington announces new football team name

From CNN's Jason Kurtz
Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (4)

A detailed view of a Washington Commanders logo during the announcement of the Washington Football Team's name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland.

Washington has introduced the new name and logo of its football team — the Commanders.

The news was unveiled this morning, following more than a year and a half of market research and focus groups.

In July 2020, the team abandoned the Redskins, the name that had been the team’s moniker dating back to 1937. The name had long been deemed offensive and was routinely denounced by Native American groups as an ethnic slur.

During the past two seasons, the franchise simply went by the Washington Football Team.

NFL's first Black team president ushering Washington football into new era

From CNN's Jason Kurtz
Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (5)

The Washington Football Team's President Jason Wright - the first Black president of a National Football League team- photographed at the team's Virginia facility on September 2, 2020 in Ashburn, Virginia.

On Wednesday, Washington Football Team president Jason Wright will help the franchise announce its new name, a revelation that comes 18 months after the team stopped referring to itself as the Redskins.

And the fact that Wright, the first-ever Black team president in NFL history, will be at the helm of this sea change is significant as the squad moves forward from a moniker steeped in racial insensitivity.

In July 2020, Washington ceased using the name Redskins, as it had been long denounced by the Native American community as an ethnic slur.

“If I could custom design a leader for this important time in our history, it would be Jason,” said Washington team owner Daniel Synder in August 2020. “His experience as a former player, coupled with his business acumen, gives him a perspective that is unrivaled in the league.”

Wright’s experience and leadership will be called upon as the franchise looks to begin a new legacy, one with a new name and new logo.

For the past two seasons, the franchise was known simply as the Washington Football Team while a more permanent nickname was being decided upon.

Helicopter video captures possible new name for Washington NFL franchise

From CNN's Chenelle Woody

A big clue about the new Washington Football Team name may have been captured on video overnight, reports CNN affiliate WUSA.

A day before the official name reveal, the news station’s chopper flew over FedEx Field and captured a large “Commanders” sign above the team store.

Top contenders for the Washington Football Team's new name

From CNN's Brandon Griggs and Jason Kurtz

As the Washington Football Team prepares to announce a new name, a list of top contenders has emerged.

Dating back to July 2020, Washington has been conducting market research, holding focus groups and soliciting fan recommendations (of which they received more than 40,000 submissions).

On an ESPN podcastlast September, team CEO Tanya Snyder confirmed an unofficial list of eight finalists.

Those possible names for Washington’s football team are:

  • Armada
  • Brigade
  • Commanders
  • Defenders
  • Presidents
  • Red Hogs
  • Red Wolves
  • Washington Football Team (the incumbent)

Over the summer, however, team president Jason Wright noted that Snyder’s list of eight is not final and that additional names may still be in play. He also said last month that Red Wolves is no longer a candidate due to trademark issues.

The Washington Football Team is set to reveal its new name today

From CNN's Jason Kurtz
Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (6)

Washington Football Team helmets are lined up before practice during the NFL teams training camp on July 31, 2021, in Richmond, Va.

Washington, DC, is soon to reveal its football team’s new name.

The announcement is scheduled to come at some point on Wednesday morning.

In July 2020, the franchise ceased referring to itself as the Redskins, as the name had long been deemed offensive and was routinely denounced by Native American groups as an ethnic slur.

Both “Wolves” and “RedWolves” had been mentioned as possible new names for the franchise, however Wright has since said neither will be the name of the future.

“We know that many of you loved one or both of these names,” Wright said, adding “understanding the weight and importance of our team name, and excitement around other name options — both internally and within our fan base — we didn’t want to risk going down a route that could be dotted with legal hurdles.”

Since the summer of 2020, the team simply went by the name Washington Football Team while a more permanent name was sought after.

Prior to 2020, the team had been called the Redskins dating back to 1937.

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GO DEEPER

Here are the contenders for the Washington Football Team’s new name
Washington Football Team to reveal new name on February 2, won’t be ‘Wolves’ or ‘RedWolves’
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GO DEEPER

Here are the contenders for the Washington Football Team’s new name
Washington Football Team to reveal new name on February 2, won’t be ‘Wolves’ or ‘RedWolves’
Jennifer King makes NFL history as first Black female position coach
Live updates: Washington’s NFL team is now the Commanders | CNN (2024)

FAQs

Do the Washington Commanders have a chance to make the playoffs? ›

Current Washington Commanders Playoff Chances for 2024-25

The Commanders have a 27.8% chance to make the playoffs based on odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Odds are used to calculate implied probability which is where our playoff chances come from.

Are the Washington Commanders a good NFL team? ›

The Washington Commanders are ranked 32nd (last) in our team guide. Besides the strength coaches who received great feedback and grades as one of the best groups in the league, the rest of the club's operations and facilities were rated by player respondents at the bottom of every single category.

What quarterback is going to the Commanders? ›

Jayden Daniels believes that "nothing's given in this world," so the surprise he felt when Dan Quinn told him that he would be the Washington Commanders' starting quarterback was authentic...even if it wasn't to everyone else.

Are Commanders eliminated from the playoffs? ›

The Washington Commanders have been eliminated from playoff contention after Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Don't let the eight-point deficit fool you; the Rams outplayed and outclassed Washington in every facet from start to finish. However, mistakes kept the game closer than it should have been.

What are the odds for the Washington Commanders to win the Super Bowl? ›

Commanders Super Bowl Odds Insights

The Commanders sport a 0.8% chance of winning the Super Bowl, based on their current odds (+12000).

Who is the Washington Commanders biggest rival? ›

The Commanders–Cowboys rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins, and the Dallas Cowboys. In 2005, Sports Illustrated called it the top NFL rivalry of all time and "one of the greatest in sports." ESPN ranked it the best rivalry in the NFL.

Will the Commanders be good in 2024? ›

Jayden Daniels Expected to Lift Commanders Win Total in 2024

The Commanders still play in a tough division that features two teams in playoff contention, the Eagles and Cowboys, but the team is expected to be better than the New York Giants given the win total projections.

Are the Commanders new to the NFL? ›

Known as the Redskins until 2020, the Washington franchise took the name Commanders in 2022 after two years as the Washington Football Team. One source said that name change itself cost the team an estimated eight-figure tab in research and rebranding efforts, and the process itself took nearly a year and a half.

Who will be the quarterback for Week 17 Commanders? ›

Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett named starter over Sam Howell for Week 17.

When was the last time the Commanders made the playoffs? ›

The Washington Commanders last made the playoffs in 2020 with a 7-9 record as winners of the NFC East Division. That year the group was mocked as the "NFC Least" and the Commanders were considered the technical winner of the division despite having a losing record.

Do the Washington Commanders have fans? ›

In March 2024, the Facebook page of the Washington Commanders football team had about 1.7 million fans. Meanwhile, the National Football League franchise registered roughly 1.42 million followers on Twitter.

What happened to the Washington Redskins? ›

In 2020, the team responded to economic pressure in the wake of the George Floyd protests by retiring the name and logo. The team called itself the "Washington Football Team" before rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.

What are the Washington Redskins called now? ›

Known as the Redskins until 2020, the Washington franchise took the name Commanders in 2022 after two years as the Washington Football Team. One source said that name change itself cost the team an estimated eight-figure tab in research and rebranding efforts, and the process itself took nearly a year and a half.

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