Over the course of Dan Snyder’s nearly 11-hour deposition with the House Oversight and Reform Committee last July, the congressional panel kept circling back to the Washington Commanders’ owner involvement in his franchise.
Specifically, what did Snyder know about his team’s workplace misconduct? What role does he have in the franchise today?
Snyder’s answers may have left lawmakers unsatisfied — Thursday’s final report from the committee noted the embattled billionaire said he was “unaware” or didn’t know the answer to specific questions on more than 100 occasions — but even the owner pleaded ignorance, there was plenty to dig through.
The Democrat-led Oversight committee released a transcript of Snyder’s testimony, a transcript of former team president Bruce Allen’s deposition and a 79-page final report.
Here are some of the more under-the-radar — but still interesting — moments tucked away in all that information.
Snyder’s involvement with the Wentz trade: Snyder’s role in the Commanders’ acquisition of quarterback Carson Wentz has been a source of contention over the past few months. The Washington Times reported in March, citing a high-ranking source, that Snyder was “heavily involved” in the decision to land the passer. ESPN reported in October that Snyder “pushed for Wentz” — leading to an angry postgame rant from coach Ron Rivera, who insisted that he was the one who advocated for the quarterback.
In July, Snyder testified that general manager Martin Mayhew was behind the Wentz trade.
“It was actually Martin Mayhew’s entire strategy,” Snyder said. “I called Martin after congratulating him. I was ecstatic about it, and they called me prior to the move and said we’re doing this. I jumped for joy.”
Snyder said he was “updated and kept informed and supported” the team’s choice.
“No, I was not heavily involved in it, no,” Snyder said.
Snyder’s role in day-to-day operations: Snyder was also asked about his daily involvement with the Commanders. After all, the NFL said in July 2021 that the owner had agreed to cede control of day-to-day operations to his wife, Tanya, for “several months” as part of the fallout from the team’s workplace misconduct scandal. But a source told The Washington Times in March that Snyder was back, contradicting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Committee attorneys questioning Snyder asked him if he was “deeply involved” in the day-to-day operations of the Commanders. The owner responded that he has not been to the team’s facility in Ashburn or the stadium in Landover in a year other than for games and charity events.
“I mean, I’ve given advice and help, but the day-to-day operations, no,” Snyder said. “The answer is Tanya Snyder has been to that stadium and the team headquarters, and they can’t count the … the great work she’s done. And it’s unbelievable. And I have not, and she has. But if I’m needed, I’ll do that. And it may be necessary to help.”
Snyder testified he talks to Rivera “once or so” per week. He added that was “completely informed” during the team’s rebrand to the Commanders, testifying he talked “a few times a week” to people involved in the process, such as his wife Tanya and team President Jason Wright.
In October, Snyder’s lawyers said in a statement that the owner was “no longer under NFL restriction related to his involvement with the team,” but added “there’s been little need for Dan to involve himself” in the Commanders’ operations.
Allen shares a nugget about Williams: During his September deposition, Allen was repeatedly asked about his workplace emails sent to former Raiders coach Jon Gruden and others. In one exchange, attorneys for the Republican side wanted to know why Allen wrote, “Let the games begin!” in relation to former Washington left tackle Trent Williams’ 2019 holdout.
In his answer, Allen revealed that Snyder was behind the team’s take-no-prisoners approach to Williams’ situation.
“Trent and I had a great relationship until all of this and still did during this time, especially during this time,” Allen testified. “And we could have resigned him. He’s an elite player. He’s a great football player, great football player. And Dan said no. He said: Not one dime. Fine him the max.
“And that’s what we did.”
For those who don’t recall, Williams missed all of 2019 because he was upset over the team’s handling of a cancerous growth on his head and his discontent over the lack of a new contract. When Williams spoke to reporters in October 2019, he indicated that he had no problems with Snyder and was angry at Allen.
“It wasn’t his fault,” Williams said of Snyder. “My displeasure comes from how long (the growth) lingered and how it was neglected and how it almost cost me my life.”
The Commanders traded Williams — who has since made two straight Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team — to the San Francisco 49ers in 2020.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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