Commanders GM Adam Peters: 'Now I've got to find a new quarterback'

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

In his first public comments since hiring Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters spoke Tuesday at the 2024 NFL combine.

If you were expecting Peters to reveal Washington’s offseason plan, such as what the Commanders will do at No. 2 overall, that wasn’t happening. However, Peters answered questions for several minutes. He discussed the No. 1 overall pick, Washington’s draft, free agency, quarterback Sam Howell and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Peters was asked about San Francisco finding Purdy in the seventh round, and he explained the process.

“He was always composed like he is now; he’s the same guy every day,” Peters said. “His tape is what really turned us on, and then you meet the person. But this is only a little bit about the process. His tape, everything that he did at Iowa State and how well he plays and how well he played the position, we really thought that he could fit in really well with our scheme. If we thought he was that good, we probably wouldn’t have waited til the last pick. We liked him that much.”

That is a thoughtful answer from Peters. But here’s what he said to finish up the question.

“Now, I’ve got to find a new quarterback,” he said.

The comment had many believing it was the end of Howell. No, that’s not exactly what he was saying. It was a fairly innocuous statement, and he stated what everyone already knew: The Commanders are hunting for a quarterback.

That’s not to say he doesn’t like Howell. He does. He mentioned Howell coming by the facility recently and the two went for a walk and got to know one another. He praised Howell, the person, and the player. And he did what a good GM would do: He ruled nothing in or out.

Adam Peters on finding Brock Purdy: “If we knew he was that good we probably would have taken him sooner…Now I’ve got to find a new quarterback.” pic.twitter.com/LDcItEBDrC

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 27, 2024

No one should be naive enough to believe Peters and the Commanders weren’t going to select a quarterback in this draft. Once Washington landed the No. 2 pick, it was a certainty. Howell may remain a part of the team’s plans — but he’s not the plan. Nor should he be. It’s not often you land a pick this high with three legitimate quarterback prospects available.

The Commanders are taking a quarterback. That’s not a surprise, and Peters all but confirmed it Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders GM Adam Peters: ‘Now I’ve got to find a new quarterback’