The difference is something commonly referred to as "credentials". These are the prior achievements of an individual that was responsible for his selection as GM:
Washington Commander GM Adam Peters
Peters joins the Commanders after serving a variety of senior leadership roles with the San Francisco 49ers, most recently as the team's assistant general manager from 2021-23. Prior to being named assistant general manager, Peters spent four seasons with the 49ers as the vice president of player personnel.
During his time with San Francisco, Peters helped the 49ers construct a top roster in the NFL through the draft, free agency and via trades. Through the NFL Draft, Peters was part of a 49ers leadership team that selected the likes of TE George Kittle, LB Fred Warner, WR Deebo Samuel, T Mike McGlinchey, DT Javon Kinlaw, WR Brandon Aiyuk, and 2019 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year DL Nick Bosa, among others. Through free agency, the team was equally effective, adding key contributors such as CB Richard Sherman, FB Kyle Juszczyk and K Robbie Gould. They also acquired All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey and T Trent Williams via trade.
In 2023, the 49ers placed a league-high nine total players in the Pro Bowl. Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, San Francisco had five players named First Team All Pro by the Associated Press, which was the most by a single team in the NFL.
Peters joined the 49ers after spending eight seasons (2009-16) with the Denver Broncos. In 2016, Peters was named the Broncos director of college scouting after spending two seasons as the team's assistant director of college scouting from 2014-15. Peters spent three years as a national scout (2011-13) after originally joining the Broncos as a regional scout in 2009.
In Denver, Peters helped the team acquire 27 players through the draft and college free agency that were vital members of the Super Bowl 50 roster.
Prior to his time in Denver, Peters spent six seasons (2003-08) with the New England Patriots. In his first two seasons as a scouting assistant in New England, Peters was a part of two Super Bowl championship teams in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Peters handled pro scouting responsibilities for the team before serving as an area scout in his final three seasons with New England.
Prior to his career in the NFL, Peters spent the 2002 season with UCLA where he served as a football operations graduate assistant after playing defensive end for the Bruins from 1999-2001.
Dallas Cowboys GM Jerry Jones
As a co-captain of the 1964 National Championship Arkansas Razorbacks, Jones is one of a small number of NFL owners who actually earned a significant level of success as a football player.