Washington Commanders

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Lore & Background

The franchise was founded by George Preston Marshall as the Boston Braves in 1932, were renamed the Boston Redskins the following year, and became the Washington Redskins upon moving to Washington, D.C., in 1937. The Redskins name and logo drew criticism for decades before they were retired in 2020. The team played as the Washington Football Team for two seasons before rebranding as the Commanders in 2022. The franchise won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 and Super Bowls XVII (1982), XXII (1987), and XXVI (1991).

In Their Own Story

The air inside Bank of America Stadium was thick with humidity as the Panthers took the field against the Commanders on a sweltering August night. The crowd roared, not with the chaotic frenzy reserved for Atlanta, but with a focused intensity knowing this divisional game could define their playoff hopes. As the quarterback dropped back, the contrast in team colors—black and blue versus burgundy and gold—stood out starkly under the stadium lights, symbolizing two distinct eras of football colliding in the heart of the South.

Reader's Guide

The Commanders play their home games at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, and have a headquarters and training facility in Ashburn, Virginia. The team will begin playing at the New Stadium at RFK Campus in 2030. Washington has 14 NFC East division titles and 26 total playoff appearances.

Did You Know?

• 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 has been played by their marching band after home game touchdowns since 1937.
• The franchise won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 and Super Bowls XVII (1982), XXII (1987), and XXVI (1991).
• From 1936 to 1945, the team went to the NFL Championship six times, winning two of them under general manager Jack Espey and head coach Ray Flaherty.
• Washington appeared in four Super Bowls and won three under owner Jack Kent Cooke, general managers Bobby Beathard and Charley Casserly, and head coach Joe Gibbs from 1982 to 1991.

Stanford Playing Career

Andrew Devon Terrell built a formidable foundation during his collegiate tenure at Stanford University, where he competed from 2009 to 2012. As a four-year letterman, he distinguished himself primarily as a punt returner, earning three consecutive All-Pac-12 honorable mentions between 2010 and 2012. His versatility allowed him to contribute significantly on both sides of the ball; over 47 career games, he recorded 44 receptions for 557 yards and five touchdowns while also returning 71 punts for 797 yards and a score. Terrell was instrumental in Stanford's success during his final season, serving as the team's leading receiver in 2012. That standout year saw the Cardinal achieve a 12-2 record, secure the Pac-12 championship, and triumph in the Rose Bowl. His consistent performance helped anchor four consecutive bowl teams, showcasing his reliability and skill before transitioning into the coaching ranks.

Early Coaching Foundations

Terrell's transition from player to coach began immediately after college, leveraging relationships formed during his athletic career. In 2014, he joined Virginia Tech as a graduate assistant, a role secured through Aaron Moorehead, who had previously served as a graduate assistant at Stanford while Terrell was playing. This initial step allowed him to learn the intricacies of coaching wide receivers and special teams in a collegiate setting. The following year, he moved to the University of Michigan, continuing his development as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh, his former head coach from Stanford. These early experiences were crucial for understanding offensive schemes at high levels. By working alongside established mentors like Moorehead and Harbaugh, Terrell gained valuable insights into player development and game planning, setting the stage for his eventual entry into professional football coaching staffs.

Washington Commanders Tenure

Terrell entered the NFL coaching landscape in 2020 when he was hired by the Washington Football Team as an assistant wide receivers coach. His role expanded significantly the following year; after Jim Hostler was promoted to senior offensive assistant, Terrell ascended to become the primary wide receivers coach for the franchise during its transition to the Commanders moniker. This period marked a critical phase in his professional growth, allowing him to manage NFL talent and contribute directly to the team's offensive strategy. However, his time with Washington concluded on February 24, 2023, when he parted ways with the organization. Despite the eventual departure, his promotion from assistant to head coach for the position demonstrated the trust placed in his abilities by the coaching staff during a dynamic era of roster changes and rebranding efforts.

Rapid NFL Ascent

Following his departure from Washington, Terrell quickly secured a significant leadership role with the Arizona Cardinals. On March 1, 2023, he was appointed as both the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coach Jonathan Gannon, signaling a major step up in responsibility within the league. This dual title indicated that his expertise was valued not just for player development but also for orchestrating complex offensive strategies. His career continued to accelerate, leading to his hiring by the Buffalo Bills on February 2, 2026. There, he joined head coach Joe Brady's staff as the wide receivers coach. This trajectory from graduate assistant at Virginia Tech and Michigan to a coordinator role in Arizona and finally a key position with the Bills highlights his rapid rise through the NFL coaching hierarchy over less than a decade.