Report: Washington Commanders expected to part ways with HC Ron Rivera after 2023 season

The Ron Rivera era in D.C. could be in its final weeks. According to a new report from CBS, the Washington Commanders’ new ownership is inclined to move on from the head coach at the end of the 2023 season. Although Rivera fired his defensive coordinator and another staffer this week, it may not be enough to save him, per Jonathan Jones. Jones says it’s “widely assumed” that Rivera will make it to the end of the season, but not long after.

With the additional loss against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Rivera’s coaching record with Washington moved to 26-35-1 since 2020. With the losses piling up, the Commanders now 4-8 this season, many have speculated that the 2023 season could be the former Panthers coach’s last.

Following the 45-10 blowout against their NFC East foes, Rivera opened up about his job security at this point in his tenure. Declining to comment on potential staff changes after Week 12, Rivera insisted that he’s “not worried about anything.”

“I’ve told you before, I’m not worried about anything,” Rivera said in his post-game press conference. “All I’m going to do is do my job and see how things go. That’s the only thing I can do.”

Del Rio, Vieselmeyer fired

The former Carolina coach must be experiencing a bit of deja vu. He faced similar questions in the final weeks of his tenure with the Panthers, which came to an end as the team was 5-7 in the 2019 season. A relatively new owner, David Tepper, opted to make the change after 19 months on the job. Washington’s new ownership just might do the same.

Rivera issued a statement via social media Friday morning commenting on the terminations of Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer.

The head coach said of his two assistants: “I appreciate all that they have contributed to the organization over the past four seasons and wish them all the best moving forward.”

Commanders owner Josh Harris ‘disappointed’

Josh Harris, the new owner of the Commanders, said that Rivera recommended the dismissal of the two coaches. He said he accepted Rivera’s decision and added that the fans deserved better, but made no mention of the head coach’s future, only that their resolve is “unbroken.”

“I feel exactly how our fans feel today: disappointed and frustrated,” Harris said in a statement to the media. “It’s how our players and staff feel as well. I knew our first season of ownership would include challenges along the way, and we will not shy away from hard work, nor will we be deterred by adversity.

“As Coach Rivera and I discussed, all of our energy for the remainder of the season will be focused on playing better, more consistent football and developing our players while intently evaluating the areas in which we need to improve this offseason. Our fans deserve a team that can compete with the NFL’s best and win sustainably over the long-term. I will not waver from that mission. Thank you to our fans for the ways in which you’ve breathed new life into our franchise. We have not been good enough this season, but our resolve for the future is unbroken.”

The Commanders face another tough test in Week 14. They’ll face the Miami Dolphins before closing out the year against the Rams, Jets, 49ers, and, again, the Cowboys. They do have a Week 15 bye, which should help them reset before the last stretch of the season.