Washington Commanders · Franchise era 5 of 7
Instability after Gibbs: the Washington Commanders story
Franchise era
1993—2011
Instability after Gibbs
Washington Commanders
The story in one sentence
Ownership and coaching turnover prevented a stable successor, even as several veteran teams produced brief postseason runs.
Frequent resets obscure isolated playoff teams
Champ Bailey, Stephen Davis and Chris Samuels gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for rgiii's spark and the identity crisis.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1993
What came before
Gibbs adapted his offense around different quarterbacks and dominant lines, winning Super Bowls after the 1982, 1987 and 1991 seasons.
April 17, 1999
Mike Ditka's entire-draft wager on Ricky Williams
Mike Ditka treated one Heisman-winning runner as a complete draft class. Washington chose volume and immediately began moving the incoming choices again.
13All-in draft tradeApril 17, 1999NO⇄WASThe Ricky Williams trade-upNew Orleans sent every available 1999 selection plus 2000 first- and third-round picks to Washington to move from No. 12 to No. 5 for Ricky Williams.9 assets · 3 outcomes＋
The original receipt
New Orleans Saints received
- • 1999 first · No. 5
Washington received
- • 1999 first · No. 12
- • 1999 third · No. 71
- • 1999 fourth · No. 107
- • 1999 fifth · No. 144
- • 1999 sixth · No. 179
- • 1999 seventh · No. 218
- • 2000 first · No. 2
- • 2000 third · No. 64
Williams became a productive back but lasted three Saints seasons. Washington's trade tree helped produce Champ Bailey and LaVar Arrington, making the deal the enduring warning against overconcentrating draft capital.
Open full trade tree →2000-01-08
Wild Card: Detroit Lions vs Washington Commanders
2000-01-15
Divisional Round: Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2006-01-07
Wild Card: Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After 2011
What came next
Griffin's 2012 offense electrified the league before injury, while the franchise later changed its name and continued cycling through quarterbacks.
The core