What critical personnel flaws proved to be the undoing of former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera during his four-year tenure?
Everyone saw Ron Rivera's future beyond the current campaign as bleak. He was on the NFL's hottest seat when Josh Harris' ownership group bought the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder. After a fourth consecutive losing season, it all but sealed his fate.
It's clear from the purpose Harris and his team have gone about their business in the last 24 hours that plans were being formed some time ago. Rivera was probably aware of this. He handled himself with class and tried valiantly to turn this sinking ship around. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly enough.
Rivera was also the primary roster builder as Snyder gave him full personnel control. Looking at the roster heading into a new regime, it's still a work in progress and an indictment of the departed coach's approach.
With this in mind, here are four critical personnel flaws under Rivera's leadership over the last four years.
Commanders traded up for Camaron Cheeseman
This was laughable at the time and even more so now. Long snappers - and good ones at that - can easily be obtained in undrafted free agency or from the veteran pool. Ron Rivera had other ideas, giving up additional assets to trade up for Camaron Cheeseman in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
It's a minor transaction compared to others on this list. But the decision highlights the indifferent draft choices made by Rivera throughout his time with the Washington Commanders.
Very few players have exceeded expectations. The jury is still out on many. As for Cheeseman? He didn't cut the mustard and was mercifully released after another horror-show effort at the Los Angeles Rams.
Commanders traded Trent Williams
When Ron Rivera agreed to become Washington Commanders head coach, there was an immediate matter that demanded his attention. The franchise was almost at war with stud left tackle Trent Williams regarding a new deal. It descended into farce thanks in no small part to Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen's handling of the situation.
This was arguably the NFL's best blindside protector at the time. Rivera's telling mistake was outlining the need for Williams to prove worthy of a mammoth contract extension. He'd already done that no matter what health concerns Washington was discussing as long-term concerns.
The prove-it scenario didn't sit well with Williams, to nobody's surprise. It was clear the two sides had gone past the point of no return. Washington traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for nothing more than third and fifth-round selections.
As they say, the rest is history.
Williams is the most prolific left tackle in football. He dominates almost everyone with minimal fuss. He's earned two All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances since the trade. The veteran could end the 2023 campaign with a Super Bowl ring to show for his efforts.
As for the Commanders? It's been a steady stream of failed acquisitions. Charles Leno Jr.'s held down the fort admirably over the last two years, but his production doesn't come close to the elite-level traits Williams brings to the table.
Commanders traded for Carson Wentz
Ron Rivera's biggest flaw throughout his Washington Commanders' head coaching career was failing to find stability at the quarterback position. Sam Howell aside, nobody lasted a full season. And the former fifth-round selection did so almost by default given he was going to be benched for the final two contests before Jacoby Brissett's injury.
One could pinpoint most moves as failures at football's most important position. The biggest beyond all doubt was the bemusing decision to part ways with significant draft capital and salary-cap space to acquire Carson Wentz.
The former No. 2 overall selection fizzled out with the Philadelphia Eagles before he was shipped to the Indianapolis Colts. Things didn't go much better in a different environment. Yet, Rivera felt this was the man to provide legitimate hope for the future.
How wrong he was.
It didn't take long to realize Washington's trade for Wentz was going to be disastrous. He struggled to generate any momentum. Mistakes in key moments were frequent. Even after the North Dakota State product was controversially reinstalled into the lineup despite Taylor Heinicke's emergence, the result was the same.
The Commanders traded two third-round picks and swapped a second-rounder with the Colts for Wentz. They also absorbed his entire salary - believed to be around $28 million. Wentz lasted just one season in Washington and this is immediately tabbed as one of the worst trades in franchise history for good measure.
Commanders drafted Chase Young over a QB
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have. When Ron Rivera came into the now-Washington Commanders, they held the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. This was an outstanding opportunity to get a franchise quarterback from the college ranks with so many questions surrounding Dwayne Haskins.
Haskins was taken No. 15 overall the year before. Whether Rivera thought it was too soon to give up on the player is debatable. There was also a potentially generational pass-rusher there for the taking if the Cincinnati Bengals went with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow as expected.
Chase Young was tabbed as the next prolific edge presence coming out of Ohio State, His college tape was phenomenal. His elite-level traits were easily transferable to the pros. As it turned out, it was something Rivera couldn't look away from.
Things looked promising enough for Young in Year 1. He flashed moments of promise and won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. This ended up being the highlight thanks to injury and poor performance. The defensive end was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for nothing more than a conditional third-round selection before the 2023 deadline.
One has to wonder how Rivera's time with the Commanders would have gone if he'd drafted Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa. Things might have been different. Unfortunately for the fired head coach, we'll never know.