The Washington Commanders are putting the finishing touches on preparations for Sunday's divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Although the Commanders have already been eliminated from playoff contention, this game is likely still important to Washington's fourth-year coach Ron Rivera.
Rivera was hired as Washington's head coach in 2020 after playing nine years with the Carolina Panthers.
Despite finishing the season with a 7-9 record in Rivera's first year, the team still managed to win the NFC East.
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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins at FedEx Field on December 3, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Billionaire Josh Harris became the team's controlling owner before the start of the 2023 season, but the team's lack of success over the past four years has led to speculation that Rivera may not stay. It's increasing.
Controversial former team owner Daniel Snyder hired Martin Mayhew as general manager in 2021, but gave Rivera final say on football matters. On Friday, Rivera confirmed that Harris plans to split general manager and coaching duties and give the organization a fresh start in the coming weeks.
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“It's going to be different, and I think it's going to be really good,” Rivera said after his final practice of the year and possibly his NFL career.
The respected veteran leader, who turns 62 on Sunday, could be fired as early as Monday morning, but has been largely reluctant to talk about his tenure in Washington. He fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after Thanksgiving and has been busy coaching on an intensified day-to-day basis since he began dictating plays on defense.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera speaks with referee Bill Vinovich, 52, before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 23, 2023. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
Returning to coaching after three and a half years in what he called “management” gave Rivera a thrill and reminded him how much he missed the hands-on approach.
“Before that, I had certain responsibilities that kept me away from certain things,” Rivera said. “You have to deal with certain things. You have to respond to certain things. You have to fix things, you have to set things up. So it was different. But now that Being in the middle of it, yeah, it's kind of cool.”
The coach has lost seven games in a row. However, team leaders felt nothing from Rivera about giving up on the lost season, even though they knew Rivera was unlikely to return.
Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and head coach Ron Rivera play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on October 1, 2023. (Mitchell Lev/Getty Images)
“He encouraged us a lot,” said top wide receiver Terry McLaurin. “Because of our season, he's never really had a bad attitude or an 'I'm unhappy' attitude. We all know he has a hand in the situation we're in right now. I think he just kept things consistent for us. “
Commanders' first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy took a similar approach, digging into his job and not addressing his uncertain future.
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Bieniemy appears to be in no man's land after arriving in Washington to show what he can do without Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. Despite his success in Kansas City, Bieniemy has yet to hold a head coaching job in the NFL.
“The only thing I can worry about and control is today,” Bieniemy said Thursday. “You can only live in the present moment. You can't worry about tomorrow. You can think about tomorrow when it comes.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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