The name “Washington Football Team” is expected to be a temporary placeholder for the Washington NFL franchise. The team will be referred to the temporary name for the upcoming season while the organization mulls over naming options. But could the name stick beyond the 2020 season?
Through Twitter, Pro Football Talk, run by Mike Florio, presented two scenarios in which the organization sticks with the name “Washington Football Team.”
Prediction No. 1: If Washington makes the playoffs in 2020, they’ll remain the “Washington Football Team” for at least two more years.
Prediction No. 2: If they somehow make it to the Super Bowl (stranger things have happened), “Washington Football Team” will become the new name.
Teams have some level of superstitions and motivations from crowd chants, pre-game rituals, sector names and even uniform designs. Last season, the Washington Nationals rode their alternate navy blue jerseys to a World Series championship. Thus, the presumption that success on the field could prolong Washington’s temporary name makes some sense.
Washington last went to the playoffs in 2015 and their previous trip was 2012. Washington has been more relevant with off-the-field headlines than for their on-the-field performance. Making an unexpected run to the postseason and fan reaction could make owner Dan Snyder hesitant to change the name for good fortunes.
If the team happened to make the Super Bowl let alone win it, there is no change the name changes. Especially, considering the recent history of irrelevancy for the franchise.
Yes, the name is generic but it’s unique. So is the helmet design. Washington revealed a close-up of the new helmets with players’ numbers as the decal in place of a logo. If Washington makes a run and makes the playoffs, get use to saying “Washington Football Team” for a bit longer.
