After four seasons, commanders anticipated moving on from head coach Ron Rivera.
The Washington Commanders host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday to wrap up their disappointing season at home. It is also likely to be Ron Rivera’s last goodbye as head coach.
According to sources, Rivera will likely leave Washington on Monday, capping his four-season tenure.
The Commanders have lost seven straight games going into today’s regular-season finale, with a 4-12 record overall (0-5 in the NFC East). There has not been any finalization or discussion with the staff, according to sources, and new owner Josh Harris intended to wait until the entire season to decide. However, the choice has become more obvious as the losses have mounted.
Following the dismissal of defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio on November 24, Harris released a statement expressing his disappointment and frustration, which was the last time he made any public comments. Since then, the Commanders are 0–4. Furthermore, it always made sense for Harris, who completed the team’s acquisition in July, to take over the football operations following the season.
Thanks to capable ownership, some building blocks on the roster, a possible top-three draft pick, and additional draft capital to possibly package and target a new franchise quarterback, the Commanders position is more appealing than it has been in decades. That might pique the interest of the most sought-after applicants this cycle, like Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is anticipated to have several options.
Reports also indicate that Martin Mayhew, the general manager, may not get a promotion, though that decision may not come down right away.
Anticipate the Commanders to investigate a revamped front office hierarchy that more closely echoes other sports, with a general manager and head coach reporting to a president of football operations-style person. Eugene Shen, who joined the football department in October as senior vice president of football strategy, is in charge of software and analytics. He will continue to be a member of the leadership group. Should the Commanders appoint an individual to oversee the entire operation, it is probable that person would be responsible for making decisions regarding everyone presently residing in the building, including Mayhew. Other front-office actions to improve their circumstances are probably in the works as well.
Harris will spearhead the hunt for their successors, among others. He has demonstrated a propensity for drawing in and selecting important players. Examples of this include his hiring of Lindy Ruf and Tom Fitzgerald by the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and Nick Nurse and Daryl Morey by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Even though the Commanders finished with a 7-9 record in his rookie season in 2020, Rivera—who turns 62 on Sunday—led them to the postseason. Prior to its difficulties this year, Washington finished 7-10 in 2021 and 8-8-1 in 2022. Rivera is exactly.500 overall with a 102-102-2 record in his 13 years as a head coach of the Carolina and Washington teams. He has three winning seasons, including a 15-1 campaign in 2015 that included a trip to Super Bowl 50 with NFL MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Amidst a string of scandals involving former owner Dan Snyder—who consented to sell the team to Harris last year amid months of conjecture over whether other NFL owners could unseat him, which would have required a three-fourths vote from ownership (24 out of 32 votes)—Riva also functioned as the Commanders’ de facto spokesman.
When questioned on January 2 regarding his time as Commander, Rivera responded, “Well, I would like to think we are in a better place.” Probably a decent way of putting it. I am really grateful for this opportunity, and we will see where it goes.
