Washington Football Team: Jack Del Rio’s seat is scalding hot despite Week 4 win

Let’s preface this by saying that calling for people’s jobs brings us no joy. Especially when it involves coaches/coordinators who’ve enjoyed sustained success in their profession. Jack Del Rio falls under that category.

A former Pro Bowl linebacker who played 11 years in the league, Del Rio has coached in the NFL in some capacity since 2002. He compiled a respectable 93-94 record over 12 season as head coach of the Jaguars and Raiders before joining Ron Rivera’s staff in Washington as a defensive coordinator.

At the time, it seemed like a great hire, and the first year was indicative of that, as Washington finished second in total defense.

Unfortunately for Del Rio, Year 2 has been an unmitigated disaster and he is officially on the hot seat after Washington’s defense allowed Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ anemic offense to run rampant on Sunday.

Washington DC Jack Del Rio’s seat is boiling after Week 4.

Ah, yes, the old free touchdown challenge. Nice to see you again.

It’s unlikely that Del Rio gets canned after four games, but why not? The lack of continuity excuse is no longer applicable a month into the season. The miscommunications in the secondary leading to big plays are a weekly occurrence.

While speaking to the media this week, Del Rio stressed that he wasn’t an excuse maker. That didn’t stop him from lambasting the refs after his defense was disorganized after a close call near the end of the second half. Washington gave up a 3rd and 3 on the very next play, which preluded Patterson’s second TD.

What more is there to say? The Falcons matched their point total from last week in the first half alone on Sunday. Sure, the home crowd helps, but Washington has first-round picks ALL over the field on defense. They have the highest-paid safety as far as total contract value and signed William Jackson for $42 million in free agency.

All to just surrender OVER 30 points per game? If that doesn’t fall on Del Rio’s shoulders, then who deserves the blame? Folks, the Falcons were 6-of-7 on third down on one drive alone, a 13-play 83-yard gut punch that resulted in a Mike Davis score.

Again, a familiar theme — failing to get off the field on third down — that hasn’t been resolved after over a month.

Yes, Washington was robbed by a bogus roughing the passer penalty on Chase Young, but that doesn’t change that this defense is the gift that keeps on giving for opposing offenses. Seriously, how many points would the Jets score on this group?

The fact we’re even asking that question proves Del Rio needs to be coaching for his job from here on out. Washington has one of the worst defenses in the league through four weeks. If you think otherwise, you’re just hiding from reality.

We don’t care that Washington won. The Falcons are one of the worst teams in the NFL and Del Rio’s defense was once again incompetent. If the group keeps performing like this, they’ll be lucky to finish with five wins.

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