The Washington Commanders will likely move on from head coach Ron Rivera on Monday after four seasons with the team. Rivera accepted the job as Washington’s head coach and, essentially, general manager in Jan. 2020.
Unfortunately for Rivera, things didn’t go as planned, and he finished his tenure in Washington with a 26-40-1 record.
On Sunday, after the Commanders’ 38-10 loss to the Cowboys ended the 2023 season, several players praised Rivera in the locker room after the game. One of those players was Washington’s longest-tenured player, punter Tress Way.
“I remember whenever my father got sick, during the COVID season (2020), Coach Rivera called every night to ask how it was going, and dad passed,” Way said, fighting back tears. “But, I’ll never forget that one, that was…..just called, every night, so, it was cool.”
An emotional Tress Way was among the Commanders in the locker room telling us what Ron Rivera has meant to them. Rivera is expected to be fired tomorrow, but he's left a lasting impact on the guys on the roster.@WTKR3 #HTTC pic.twitter.com/JiEEM169Xk
— Marc Davis (@marcdavissports) January 8, 2024
Way has been with Washington since 2014 and has played for Jay Gruden, Bill Callahan and Rivera. One of the more popular players on the team, Way is a beloved locker-room leader and wasn’t the only player to have fond feelings for Rivera.
Tight end Logan Thomas and defensive tackle Daron Payne also praised Rivera.