The Washington Commanders are making waves with their eyes set on a potential return to the postseason, reigniting a wave of enthusiasm reminiscent of their glory days in the late ’80s and early ’90s. This renewed energy is driven by the stellar play of their Rookie of the Year favorite quarterback and the fresh ownership of Josh Harris. But could their comeback story involve a move back to their roots in Washington D.C.?
A recent development has laid the groundwork for what might be a historic relocation. On Monday, President Joe Biden signed the RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act into law. This key piece of legislation, passed in late December by the U.S. Senate, shifts control of the RFK Stadium site from the federal government to the local D.C. authorities. The original RFK Stadium, a legendary venue during the Commanders’ heyday under coach Joe Gibbs, could see a new stadium rise where champions once played.
Josh Harris, the man with a vision to bring the team back home, was present with President Biden at the White House for the ceremonial signing. Harris, a long-time fan of the team since childhood, is passionate about rekindling the legacy that made RFK an integral part of Washington D.C.’s sports culture. His sentiments echo the community’s desire to restore the Commanders’ former glory, not just in the standings but through a symbolic return to a storied site.
Joe Gibbs led the Commanders to five Super Bowl appearances, with three victorious campaigns, all anchored at RFK Stadium from 1961 to 1996. The move to FedEx Field in Maryland in 1997 marked the end of an era. Despite the change in venue, the storied past of RFK has lingered in the fans’ hearts. However, the recent past at FedEx Field, now Northwest Stadium, has been fraught with challenges, both on and off the field, during the tumultuous ownership era under Dan Snyder.
As the saga unfolds, a colorful political subplot emerged with Maryland’s U.S. senators, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, proposing a novel arrangement involving the exchange of fighter jets to ensure Maryland’s cooperation in the site’s redevelopment. In response, the U.S. Air Force announced the transfer of jets, thus removing a potential roadblock to the Commanders’ D.C. return.
With legal and political hurdles largely cleared, the primary task is executing a plan to construct a new stadium and relocate the team. Meanwhile, the Commanders and their fans are buoyed by the promising play of QB Jayden Daniels and the team’s first playoff appearance since 2020, marking what could be the start of a new chapter for a franchise with rich history and a promising future.
