The Washington Commanders hav filled the role that has been vacant for nearly four years after hiring a former San Francisco 49ers executive
The Washington Commanders have filled a key role in their scouting department after news broke on Thursday afternoon, bringing on another former executive from the San Francisco 49ers.
Former San Francisco 49ers college scout Ryan Kessenich joins the Commanders as the new director of college scouting.
Kessenich joins the organization after serving as a college scout for the 49ers since May 2019, reuniting with current general manager Adam Peters with the Commanders. He also spent one year as a scout for the Reese's Senior Bowl, one of the premier draft scouting events, along with one season as an advanced scout in a consulting role at Northwestern University.
He also joins the organization with additional NFL experience after serving as a midwest college scout for the Kansas City Chiefs for four years beginning in May 2009 before a five year stint with the Chicago Bears. Kessenich spent his first two seasons as a pro/college scout before serving in a national scout role over his final three years.
Kessenich also joins the organization filling a role that has been vacant since late January after Tim Gribble left the organization for the same role with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gribble spent 24 years with the organization where he served in multiple roles in the organization, though he also worked out of Pittsburgh despite his role with the Commanders with a chance to return closer to home.
The timing of the departure was a surprise given Gribble departed ahead of the busiest time of year, instead opting to join the Mike McCarthy staff in Pittsburgh, but Washington rebounded with a strong draft class that addressed several positions.
"[Director of player personnel] David Blackburn, [personnel executive] Scott Fitterer, [director of process innovation] Cody Cejda did a really nice job with our draft meetings, taking up a heavy load there," general manager Adam Peters said ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft when talking about the structural changes this offseason.
Washington turned to former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with its first pick before adding a wide receiver on day two along with a running back in Kaytron Allen who could factor into the 2026 rotation, along with Matt Gulbin who adds needed depth at center.
The Commanders still enter the rest of the offseason with nearly $50 million in available cap space, enough space to address a handful of remaining needs like wide receiver and potentially cornerback.