Watching the Washington Commanders bounce back is incredibly gratifying, especially knowing it must be infuriating Dan Snyder, wherever he is.

For nearly 25 years, Snyder, a man known for his unpleasant and bullying demeanor, led one of the NFL’s most prestigious teams. Unfortunately, during much of that time, the team’s performance was just as dismal as his character. They only made it to the playoffs six times in 24 years, achieving just one win in the postseason this century and experiencing only two seasons with at least ten victories. The franchise faced a constant stream of controversies.

After Snyder sold the team in summer 2023, the Commanders, now free from his management, have returned to the playoffs just two seasons later. They even boast the fourth-best record in the NFC.

“Thank you guys for everything,” current owner Josh Harris told his players after securing a playoff spot. “Playoffs!”

A successful Commanders team is beneficial for the NFL, with strong viewership for their games this season. It’s also a win for the long-suffering fans who suffered Snyder’s relentless mismanagement.

More importantly, it’s a collective relief for all of us who believed that justice would eventually prevail. The triumph of the team serves as a reminder that one can’t continually act like a terrible person without facing consequences.

Admittedly, Snyder is still incredibly rich due to the $6 billion sale to Harris and his partners. He has avoided facing accountability for numerous accusations, including sexual harassment and perpetuating a toxic work environment.

However, the Commanders were his ultimate passion, a love that began in his childhood when he attended games with his father. Now, as the team thrives and moves away from being seen as a laughingstock, Snyder is not part of that success.

He cannot appear in the owner’s box or interact with the team before their wild-card match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If he dares to show up at Raymond James Stadium, any demand for recognition as “Mr. Snyder” will be met with the disdain he deserves.

The Commanders belong to someone else now, and the brightness of their achievements this season shines on a new ownership. It feels like a long-awaited form of satisfaction.

Some might find joy in Snyder’s turmoil to be beneath them, but honestly, that’s too bad. NFL owners often have dubious behavior, and Snyder was no exception. Other owners, like Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who hired a known predator, or Cal McNair, who used a racially insensitive term, show a pattern of troubling actions. Even Stan Kroenke and Dean Spanos disregarded their loyal fans by moving their teams for new stadiums.

Yet, Snyder stood out as the worst owner in sports history.

He clung to the team’s former offensive nickname despite overwhelming opposition, only changing it after major sponsors withdrew their support. He consistently failed to secure stadium agreements in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C.

Moreover, he was fined $60 million by the NFL as a result of investigations into misconduct and financial misconduct, in addition to the $10 million fine imposed on the Commanders for fostering a toxic work culture.

Let’s not overlook the Congressional investigations directed at both Snyder and his franchise!

“The Commanders can’t have it both ways,” U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md., stated during a June 2022 hearing about workplace toxicity. “You can’t keep asking for public funds while ignoring basic workplace laws.”

Snyder operated under the false assumption that he was untouchable, immune to criticism from the NFL, fans, or investigators. He displayed no regard for the negative impact he had on both the team and the league he professed to cherish. He was determined to run the franchise exactly how he wanted.

Unfortunately for him, winning was never part of the equation, and the Commanders’ swift turnaround under Harris only serves to highlight Snyder’s inability.

Returning to the playoffs signifies a major achievement for the Commanders. Accomplishing this without Snyder basking in the glory makes the success even more enjoyable.