There are reasons to suggest the Washington Commanders could become one of the NFL's most coveted head coaching destinations in 2024.
It seems for all the smart money as if Ron Rivera's time with the Washington Commanders will come to an end when the 2023 season concludes. The head coach is being permitted the dignity of seeing out the campaign, but a fourth-straight losing year since taking charge means the writing is firmly on the wall.
Big changes are coming. Josh Harris' ownership group didn't shell out $6.05 billion for the Commanders to settle for mediocrity. They want to build a perennial contender on the field and an industry leader off it.
That's going to take time. The process can be sped up by hiring the correct people right out of the gate this offseason. And make no mistake, every candidate selected for an interview will be looking at the Commanders' pending openings a lot differently than in previous years.
With this in mind, here are three reasons why Washington's head coaching gig is one of the league's most coveted in 2024.
Commanders have a bevy of draft picks
After the Washington Commanders traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat before the deadline, they officially started planning for the future. This gives any new head coach a plethora of high-end NFL Draft picks in 2024. Something that should speed up the rebuilding process considerably.
Washington might boast a top-three selection depending on how things play out over the last four games. They have five picks in the top 100 - three of those in the top 42 currently. This will be enticing for any prospective head coach or general manager.
Of course, there are plenty of needs to fill. But a good 2024 NFL Draft with so much capital would be a tremendous place to start.
Commanders have a healthy cap situation
Another reason why the Washington Commanders traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline was the financial aspect. Both defensive ends were looking for big-money deals once their contracts expired next spring. Something Josh Harris' ownership group decided against considering the current state of affairs.
This has completely negated Washington's pass-rush since their departures. But what it has provided is financial flexibility to make the Commanders a more intriguing destination for candidates of interest once head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew are deemed surplus to requirements.
According to Over the Cap, the Commanders boast $80.75 million in available funds currently. Once some cut candidates are confirmed and perhaps another trade or two occurs, Washington might have $100 million or more to spend with around 40 players under contract.
If a potential head coach needs a little more convincing, then looking at the salary-cap space could be enough to tip the scales. Especially considering the aforementioned draft capital at the Commanders' disposal in 2024.
The possibilities are endless with this kind of money. Spending wisely wasn't something previous owner Dan Snyder managed to accomplish. Harris plans to turn this around quickly as part of his methodical, analytics-based approach to building a contender.
That brings us to our next point…
Commanders are a blank canvas with ambitious owners
Nobody aside from a privileged few should feel like their jobs are safe next season. The Washington Commanders could legitimately gut the roster from top to bottom under a new owner and head coach. A scenario more than capable of coming to fruition if Josh Harris' ownership group hits the reset button.
This is not a team ready to contend right now. The Commanders represent a blank canvas of sorts. A sleeping giant in one of the country's biggest markets is ready to be awoken. That makes the franchise an appealing destination.
Many respected insiders suggest that there could be around 7-10 job openings when push comes to shove. Plenty of cap space and salary-cap room is all well and good, but the allure of working for Josh Harris and Magic Johnson cannot be overlooked either.
Harris and his wealthy team of investors are ambitious. They want to take the Commanders back to the NFL's top table sooner rather than later. They are also willing to do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality.
Washington now has a solid foundation from which to build. A clear plan is in place for sustainable success. Ownership who'll be present and accountable rather than hiding away on a luxury yacht to avoid conflict.
All these factors should ensure the Commanders have their pick of head coaching candidates when Ron Rivera is let go. Picking the right guy will be the biggest challenge.