Ron Rivera will now be the head coach through the remainder of the 2023 season.
You see, this morning, Rivera and new owner Josh Harris dialogued, and Rivera apparently recommended that changes be made at defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Consequently, Rivera did what he said he would not. He said he would not fire any of his staff. With only five games remaining, Rivera “recommended” these changes be made?
Ron Rivera actually recommended Jack Del Rio and Brent Vieselmeyer be publicly linked to the failure and be the fall guys to take the blame. With only five games remaining?
At this point, I think it wise to consider the two vantage points of Harris and Rivera. For Harris, if this is truly how it went down, then he is simply allowing his head coach to work through a season with those for whom he feels it is best for the success of the team.
On the other hand, for Rivera, he is making Del Rio and Vieselmeyer the fall guys with only five games remaining.
Coach Ron, didn’t you just tell us last week you would not be making such changes?
This raises the question, “Who actually initiated this conversation and moved that the DC and DB coach should be removed?” Did Harris inform Coach Ron that something must be done, so make a move?
Then again, if this actually arose with Coach Ron, I am not impressed. Why? Well, over the last few weeks, his demeanor has greatly changed. He has visibly been discouraged and tired.
The reality of this team having a losing season had set in on Rivera. Thus he knows he is finished following this season.
So, if he knows he is done after this season, why single out others with only five games remaining in your tenure as coach-centric CEO of the Commanders’ football operations?
Wouldn’t it say more of Rivera if he actually kept his word and went down with the ship in five weeks, rather than dismissing Del Rio and Vieselmeyer?