2022 NFL Draft: A key pivot point for the Commanders

Ron Rivera was hired by the Washington Commanders just 15 (almost 16) months ago, becoming the 30th coach in the franchise’s history. He was meant to be a stabilizer of a once-proud franchise crumbling beneath its feet.

For the most part, he has been that. He took over a team that was getting run off their own field by the lowly Jets, on the way to a 3-13 record in 2020, and was on the precipice of an organizational fallout.

A name change occurred, multiple allegations of workplace misconduct were accused against the Washington franchise, and the world had entered a global pandemic. To make matters even more complicated, Ron Rivera battled cancer during his first year in the Nation’s Capital. He spent most of his days in October on a golf cart during practice, too tired to walk around like he usually would.

On game days he would sometimes just sit and watch from the bench, as he was again too tired to patrol the sidelines as he usually would. Yet, Rivera still has delivered two solid years for the Burgundy & Gold. He has won seven games in both years and had Washington in the thick of the playoff race heading into the final stretch of the season.

With that said, the franchise needs to take the next step on the football field. Rivera has said that himself multiple times in interviews. The belief he has in the condition of the revamped roster was a catalyst for the trade for Carson Wentz.

With the trade for Wentz, Washington will finally have some semblance of stability in the quarterback room. That is why the 2022 NFL Draft is a key turning point for the Ron Rivera Era in the Nation’s Capital.

With Washington taking on Carson Wentz’s full contract, thus incurring his $28M cap hit, they were frugal with their spending in free agency. Most of their action was via re-signing their own, with key role players in JD McKissic, Bobby McCain, and Cornelius Lucas.

In fact, they only signed two free agents: Andrew Norwell and Efe Obada. And really, Norwell can be seen as a pseudo-trade with Ereck Flowers, after Washington released Flowers in order to get cheaper at the position.

The point is, Washington’s lack of activity in free agency means they are reaching a pivotal turning point next week. And with two fewer picks in the holster due to the Wentz trade and the trade up for Camaron Cheeseman in 2021, Washington will need to be sharp on who they select.

As Washington enters a crucial year, a positive, impactful draft is a must. They already have a roster that is in a solid place. They are largely the same roster that won seven games, against one of the toughest schedules in football with bottom-tier quarterback play.

The only thing that has really changed is the trade Wentz, which is unquestionably an upgrade. Losing Brandon Scherff hurts, however, John Matsko has shown the ability to make do with less along the offensive line. A combination of Wes Schweitzer, a draft pick and Saahdiq Charles should fill that void admirably.

With that said, Washington still has a roster that is miring in mediocrity; a team that can maybe win a weak division or just squeak into one of the final Wild Card spots, but then only to be bounced in the Wild Card Round.

If Washington has a successful 2022 draft, one that surrounds Carson Wentz with the tools needed to succeed, they can matter in January. While Wentz may never get back to his 2017 form when he was an MVP finalist, he can become a quarterback that can lead a team to wins in January.

If the Commanders whiff on this year’s draft and do not insulate Wentz with the necessary items to succeed; the odds are he fails. If Wentz fails, it may not necessarily mean Rivera’s time is done in D.C. but it will start the clock on his tenure, while Washington enters the QB sweepstakes yet again. And the Commanders will begin to feel a lot like Bill Murray felt in the movie, Groundhog Day.

Washington has a unique opportunity to rehabilitate a talented quarterback. And in the grand scheme of what starting-caliber quarterbacks usually cost, Washington did not give up that much. But to make the rehabilitation plan work, a successful draft is a must.

While I would describe this era of Washington Football under Ron Rivera as mostly a success, it is entering the most important season of its tenure. And to make it as successful as possible, next week becomes extremely important.

Fans can call the 2022 NFL Draft for Ron Rivera and the Washington Commanders: The Pivot Point. Whether this pivots into success or failure remains to be seen.