The NFL Draft isn't just about the future; it's a celebration of a franchise's past. While Commissioner Roger Goodell handles the first-round spotlight, Day 2 belongs to the legends. Each team selects an icon to step to the podium, bridging generations of fans and players. For the Washington Commanders, that honor in the 2026 draft will go to a quarterback who delivered the ultimate prize: Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien.

Rypien will announce the Commanders' third-round selection, pick No. 71 overall. Washington, holding the No. 7 pick in the first round, does not have a second or fourth-round choice due to a previous trade for star tackle Laremy Tunsil, making Rypien's moment on Day 2 their only selection that evening.

A sixth-round pick himself in 1986, Rypien's journey epitomizes draft value. He took over as Washington's starter in 1989, earning two Pro Bowl nods and etching his name in franchise lore during the 1991 season. That year, he threw for 3,564 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory where his performance earned him MVP honors—a feat that secured his place among the franchise's 90 Greatest players.

Over a 12-year career that included stops in Cleveland, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis, Rypien's legacy remains firmly tied to Washington. Having a champion of his caliber announce the next wave of Commanders talent is a powerful reminder of the excellence the team and its fans strive to reclaim, making for a can't-miss moment in the 2026 draft.