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Ranking potential replacements if Commanders cut ties with Ron Rivera

By Jonathan Eig

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 27: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich looks on in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich looks on in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers OC

How much credit do you get for winning a Super Bowl with Tom Brady? Well, if you’re Josh McDaniels, you apparently get two shots at being a head coach. I would think Leftwich deserves at least one. He is 42 now and in prime position to get that shot. Plus, he is a local, having grown up in DC and starring at H.D. Woodson High School. Leftwich has apprenticed under Bruce Arians, who brought Leftwich with him from Arizona. When Arians resigned, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles – who also has Washington ties and would have been a strong candidate here – was promoted to the top spot. Bowles kept Leftwich in place. This year, with continual Brady drama and a depleted offensive lineup, may prove crucial for Leftwich. If he can get the offense back in gear, he will very likely get a head coaching job in 2023. If he can’t, he will slip off some radars.

5. Raheem Morris, Rams DC

Morris was Washington’s defensive backs coach from 2012-2014. Then he went to Atlanta as an assistant head coach before landing in LA. And before that, he was the head coach for Tampa Bay. Morris’ record in Tampa was just 21-38, but he did manage to go 10-6 one season, with Josh Freeman as his quarterback. At 46, and with extensive experience on both sides of the ball, Morris is primed for another shot.

4. Shane Steichen, Eagles OC

I’ll admit it – I am just as prone to the hype as anyone else. Steichen is 37, and he will quickly become one of the hottest commodities out there – the next young offensive genius. He already has extensive NFL coaching experience with the Chargers, working with both Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. What he has done in a little more than year in Philadelphia has been miraculous – helping transform an old, slow boring offense into one of the most dynamic in the league. I think it’s almost a given that he will be an NFL head coach within the next two years. He has NFC East knowledge that could be very useful as well. (More on that soon.)

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