At the start of slot receiver Adam Humphries' introduction to Washington Football Team media was an unknowing nod to Ron Rivera's rebuilding efforts.
Just over a year ago now, Rivera promised to change the culture in Washington for the better, a once laughable premise under former team president Bruce Allen. And yet, after winning the NFC East in year one, jettisoning a first-round quarterback with questionable maturity, Rivera's culture change is already taking root, a now-obvious fact to incoming free agents.
"I think after doing some due diligence with my agent and myself, talking with [offensive coordinator] Scott Turner and some of the offensive staff, it just seemed like a good fit," Humphries said Monday of why Washington was the right fit for him. "They needed a true slot receiver, and that's something I can bring to this team."
"Just flying up to Washington and meeting all the guys around the building, it just seemed like a good atmosphere and a good culture that I wanted to be a part of," he said. "So I'm excited about the opportunity."
Washington has long struggled with becoming a preeminent destination for top free agents. And while Humphries is no Kenny Golladay, his acknowledgment of Washington's culture, chiefly as a member of Rivera's second free agency class, seems notable and worth acknowledging in its own right.
After all, we're only weeks removed from free agent addition Curtis Samuel citing his desire to reunite with Terry McLaurin, one of the up-and-coming offensive stars in the NFL, as a major driving force for him signing with Washington.
"We always talked about it, being teammates in the NFL, but that's like farfetched. You just never know what can happen," Samuel said. "And the opportunity presented itself, my boy Terry being in Washington. I was excited. I'm like, 'Hold on, wait. I've got the opportunity to play with him?' A thousand yards, a phenomenal player, a great athlete."
"Just being able to link back up and be able to play with each other, it's amazing," he added. "It was a great feeling for me."
Having the right players in your building to attract other free agents is an instrumental part of a successful rebuilding process. Like how Washington's recent signing of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick helped lead them to Humphries, whose two best NFL seasons came in Tampa (2017-18), with Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball.
Humphries was understandably enthusiastic about being reunited with "Fitzy."
"It's exciting. Fitzy just makes coming to work every day fun," he said. "You can tell he's got a lot of passion when he plays and he's got a love for the game that not many people have. He just makes playing football fun. He brings a good attitude towards every situation. He's still slinging it. I'm excited to link back up with him and have some fun."
Having fun? A good culture? Is this still Washington we're talking about?
Indeed, Rivera promised to change the culture. And just a year in, signs of his successful efforts in that gargantuan undertaking are already sprouting up all over.
Asked for his perspective of Washington from afar, Humphries said, "Obviously, stepping into a good situation — division champs, bringing a lot of confidence into 2021."
Now he hopes to only add to an already flourishing atmosphere.
"Just again, sitting down with Scott and some of the offensive staff, just trying to fill the needs in certain areas of the offense," he said. "Obviously bringing Curtis in was big for us. Being able to add another piece in the offensive system will be awesome. They've already got a good group of guys there. I'm just hoping bringing the two of us in will also add some more guys to help."
Free agents signing the praises of a successful culture after one year, following 20 years of futility, is seismic growth for Washington. It's the type of breakneck revolution that leaves you wondering how far they could come in another year.
