Everyone knows this is a make-or-break season for Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. With a new owner and a record of 22-27-1, Rivera understands he must win in 2023, and even that may not be enough.
Josh Harris took over as Washington’s owner on July 20 and immediately prioritized helping the team focus on a successful 2023 season. Harris and his partners immediately spent $40 million on FedEx Field, with repairs, upgrades and improvements, and recently signed off on Rivera’s long-awaited staff promotions.
Rivera is no stranger to an ownership change. After years as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, the team was sold from Jerry Richardson to David Tepper. Rivera survived the change, at least initially, before he was fired 12 games into Tepper’s second season as owner.
On Wednesday, Harris and minority partner Mitchell Rales were at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., where they were interviewed by David Rubenstein. The interview covered everything, from the name to a potential new stadium to head coach Ron Rivera.
When asked about Rivera, Harris complimented the head coach.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Coach Rivera,” Harris said via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
“He’s a good man. He’s done a great job getting the team to where it is relative to where it was when he got that. We’ve said, ‘We’re getting up to speed. We want to hear how you think; we want to learn how you make decisions.’ And it’s going really well.”
What about Rivera’s future?
“Everyone who coaches an NFL team or an NBA team, and us as owners…….we all realize that ultimately we have to deliver wins on the field, so you don’t really need to say anything. It’s just out there. But so far, so good.”
That’s the perfect answer. And it’s the opposite approach that one former Washington owner had when he took over the franchise. Harris is giving Rivera and others in the organization every chance to prove they should be around beyond 2023. Maybe it doesn’t happen, but he’s not coming in and saying, “You better win — or else.”
Rivera knows he must win. He has said as much multiple times. For once, Rivera can clearly focus on football, and he has an owner who will support him and his team in any way possible to help the Commanders win.