BREAKING: Washington Commanders ‘Trending Towards’ Ron Rivera Firing After Abysmal 2023 Season

The Washington Commanders could move on from head coach Ron Rivera after the 2023 season. With the team set to miss the playoffs for the third straight year, the new ownership group might simply want a fresh start.

That is what Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Saturday amid the Commanders’ major struggles this campaign. Heading to Week 17, the Washington franchise has only tallied a 4-11 record, having also lost its last six games.

Washington’s new ownership group led by Josh Harris, who purchased the team last July, gave Rivera a chance to prove himself this 2023 despite the losing record he has over his tenure. Unfortunately, with no clear improvements made, it could very spell the end of his tenure with the team.

“The Commanders are 0-3 since (the firing of defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio) and this week benched quarterback Sam Howell. So, while no decisions have been finalized, the situation appears to be trending towards major changes, including moving on from coach Ron Rivera,” Rapoport and Pelissero said in their report.

However, it’s not only Rivera whose Washington Commanders job is in trouble. General manager Martin Mayhew is also facing an uncertain future amid his failure to really build a playoff-caliber roster. At the least, the new ownership might restructure the front office.

“Expect the Commanders to at least explore a modified front office structure that more closely resembles other sports, with a president of football operations-type overseeing the head coach and GM. Eugene Shen, who was hired in October as senior vice president of football strategy, oversees analytics and software for the football department and will remain part of the leadership team moving forward,” Rapoport and Pelissero added.

With everything that has happened in Washington, it’s really not a surprise why the top brass would want to move on from Rivera and the current coaching staff. A competent ownership group always wants to compete and win, and until they show that they are serious about it, the years of mediocrity won’t end.

What Happens Next if Washington Commanders Fire Ron Rivera?

If the Washington Commanders do end up parting ways with Ron Rivera in the offseason, Rapoport and Pelissero highlighted that it’s likely that team owner Josh Harris will be involved in the hiring of the head coach’s replacement.

Harris has done so for the other sports teams he owns, like the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. And considering how attractive the Commanders job would be, the Washington boss could very well attract some big names for their coaching and other roles.

“If and when that happens, expect Harris to lead the search for his replacement. He’s shown a penchant for attracting and hiring key personnel … ” Rapoport and Pelissero furthered. “The Commanders job is more attractive than it’s been in decades, thanks to competent ownership, some building blocks on the roster, a potential top-three draft pick and extra draft capital to potentially package and target a new franchise QB.”

It remains to be seen what the Commanders will actually do in free agency, though plenty of eyes will be on them to see what moves they’ll make to turn their fortunes around.