SPORTS

NFL Rumors: Ron Rivera Fired by Commanders; HC Went 26-40-1 in 4 Seasons

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JANUARY 07: Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on January 07, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Scott Taetsch/Getty Photos

Ron Rivera’s tenure as head coach of the Washington Commanders has come to an pause on Monday after a 4-13 file this season, proprietor Josh Harris announced.

Washington Commanders @Commanders

We get parted ways with head coach Ron Rivera pic.twitter.com/wTKnbgj0GU

Washington Commanders @Commanders

Assertion from Ron Rivera pic.twitter.com/jQ0Pv482ee

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Adam Schefter reported Rivera’s firing is share of an organizational overhaul, with dilapidated Golden Grunt Warriors standard supervisor Bob Myers and dilapidated Minnesota Vikings standard supervisor Rick Spielman approaching to support guide the route of of hiring a recent coach and head of soccer operations.

Rivera proper performed his fourth season with the Commanders. He used to be hired by the team on Jan. 1, 2020, four weeks after the Carolina Panthers fired him following a 5-7 originate to the 2019 season.

Despite lacking the playoffs in every of his first two seasons on the job, Washington used to be in opponents by Week 17 in 2022. The team regarded to be in gigantic shape with a 7-5-1 file after a tie in opposition to the Unique York Giants on Dec. 4, however three consecutive losses popping out of the Week 14 bye ended its postseason hopes.

Washington used to be taking a search to Rivera for stability following Jay Gruden’s tenure from 2014-19. Gruden used to be fired after an 0-5 originate in 2019, shedding his general file with the team to 35-49-1.

Even though the Commanders’ file wasn’t gigantic, Rivera’s first season used to be a success. They won the NFC East, despite being 7-9, for the first time since 2015. They performed neatly in the NFC Wild Card Spherical earlier than sooner or later falling 31-23 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

They performed third in the NFC East with a 7-10 file in 2021. The defense, which ranked fourth in facets allowed throughout the 2020 campaign, dropped down to 25th.

One standard downside for Rivera throughout his time in Washington used to be an unstable quarterback downside. Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Carson Wentz and Sam Howell all started video games for the team.

Wentz used to be acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in March to present some semblance of stability. He had some first rate performances however remained wildly inconsistent with 1,755 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven starts.

“Everyone keeps announcing I did now not desire one thing to salvage with Carson, neatly, bulls–t,” Rivera suggested reporters on Oct. 13. “I’m the f–king guy that pulled out the sheets of paper, checked out the analytics, watched the tape after we were at Indianapolis, OK? And that is the reason what pisses me off, ‘trigger the younger man would now not deserve to get that each one the time.”

The addition of Wentz did now not salvage worthy to increase Washington’s fortunes on the self-discipline. He used to be benched in settle on of Taylor Heinicke for a rapid duration throughout the season. The Commanders went 5-3-1 in nine starts with Heinicke, however he used to be benched in the fourth quarter of a 37-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16.

Wentz’s originate in opposition to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 used to be a wide number. He performed 16-of-28 for 143 yards with out a touchdowns and three interceptions in a 24-10 loss.

Amid the full instability at quarterback, the Commanders continue to get a formidable collection of skill-keep gamers. Terry McLaurin surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive year. Jahan Dotson performed his rookie year with a team-excessive seven touchdown catches and averaged a stable 14.9 yards per reception. Curtis Samuel averaged 8.3 yards per touch.

Below Rivera, 2d-year quarterback Sam Howell threw for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and an NFL-excessive 21 interceptions this season.

Meanwhile, the defense allowed the most facets (30.5 facets per sport) and the most yards (388.9 yards per sport). This used to be a prime-10 unit in each categories in 2022.

Following a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, the Commanders made modifications on that aspect of the ball. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer, who had been on Rivera’s workers since January 2020, were each fired on Nov. 24.

One of the foremost defensive struggles appear to had been by develop with the recent possession community. Each and each Fade Young and Montez Sweat were traded away throughout the season for draft property, in share, since the Harris community wanted to focal level completely on the lengthy-term procedure forward for the franchise.

Dianna Russini @DMRussini

I was suggested Washington possession had a stable hand in deciding to deal each Fade Young and Montez Sweat. Many in the building wanted to withhold them on yarn of they have faith in this team however in the tip, its referring to the long creep for the Commanders.

Even though Rivera’s performance has been k at occasions, his future with the group turned into unsure in July 2023 when NFL owners unanimously voted to approve Snyder’s sale of the Commanders to a community led by Josh Harris.

Unique owners now and as soon as more try to hire of us that they seize, rather than dangle on to remnants from the earlier proprietor, in particular given how volatile issues with Snyder most often were.

Rivera performed his time with the Commanders with a 26-40-1 file and no winning seasons.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button