Commanders GM Adam Peters Calls Howie Roseman a ‘Pain in the Ass’ After Breaking NFL Draft Rule

When it comes to the NFL draft, one unwritten rule tends to reign supreme – don’t deal with divisional foes. But Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters defied that age-old adage with a bold trade that’s got fans up in arms. During Friday night’s draft frenzy, Peters swung a deal with none other than Eagles GM Howie Roseman, his counterpart on the hated Philadelphia rival.

“You’re a pain in the ass,” Peters told Eagles GM Howie Roseman after completing the trade on phone, providing a candid glimpse into the high-stakes negotiations. While fans avoid aiding rivals at all costs, Peters made the bold decision, netting picks 50 and 53 in return.

So what drove Peters to break from protocol and broker a deal with the enemy? The rationale was as simple as it was high-risk.“Howie came with a strong offer, favorable in terms of the point chart for us,” Peters explained after Day 2. “We liked it in terms of what it gave us and getting those two picks at 50 and 53.”

The bargaining chip that paved the way? Letting the Eagles leapfrog up to snag Iowa’s lockdown corner prospect Cooper DeJean. A future thorn in Washington’s side perhaps, but one Peters felt was worth the price of admission.

While frowned upon, elite teams hyperfocus on maximizing value, even if it means inadvertently strengthening competitors in the short term. “For now, Commanders fans may not feel too well about their GM dealing with Philly,” Peters conceded. “But I’m confident in the move, in who we added to the roster.”

Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters’ risky gamble for future success

With that 50th pick acquired from Philly, the Commanders pounced on Michigan nickel corner Mike Sainristil, a “smaller but physical” defender whose “incredible ball skills” wowed Peters. Then at 53, they nabbed do-it-all tight end Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State, a hard-nosed blocker Peters compared to standouts like Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle. “Ben has that same mindset. He plays with that mindset,” Peters raved. “He can block really anywhere.”

The haul looks promising on paper, but trading directly with a division rival remains a highly unorthodox – and polarizing – maneuver. Peters understands the skepticism, especially after gifting the ascendant Eagles another potential defensive cornerstone. “Yeah, there’s always – you have that [rivalry] in the back of your mind,” Peters admitted. “But this gave us a chance to move up almost as far as we moved back.”

Of course, only time will tell how this high-stakes gamble shakes out. If Sainristil and Sinnott emerge as impact players, it could go down as a brilliant draft day rebuff of convention. But should DeJean blossom into a shutdown force patrolling the Eagles’ secondary, Peters’ “pain in the ass” trade could look more like aiding and abetting the enemy. But one thing’s for certain – that heated NFC East rivalry between D.C. and Philly just got stoked with a fresh jolt of incentive.