What intriguing options could emerge as candidates to replace Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in 2024?
After another defensive capitulation at the Seattle Seahawks, Jack Del Rio is living on borrowed time. The Washington Commanders aren't getting enough from their coordinator regarding schematic creativity, in-game adjustments, or simply reacting to what's going on around him more often than not.
This is hurting the Commanders in no uncertain terms. The offense continues to put up substantial numbers and points under Eric Bieniemy, which is only exposing the defensive side of things further en route to yet another subpar record in 2023.
Much will depend on whether head coach Ron Rivera survives - which does appear unlikely with Josh Harris' ownership group ready for change. This might see Del Rio also on the chopping block despite not having the benefit of Chase Young and Montez Sweat after the defensive end duo was traded before the deadline.
On this topic, we picked out five dark horse candidates to replace Del Rio when the inevitable occurs during or after the 2023 season.
Commanders could hire Mike Rutenberg
- Linebackers Coach | New York Jets
If the Washington Commanders want to go with an up-and-coming coach as their next defensive coordinator, many enticing options are going under the radar. One such individual is Mike Rutenberg, who'd bring Robert Saleh's discipline and creative schematic concepts to a team that's been sorely lacking any sort of invention since Jack Del Rio took over.
It seems as if the game has passed Del Rio by. The same cannot be said of Rutenberg, who's gaining a glowing reputation around the league and has worked wonders with the likes of C.J. Moseley during his career renaissance.
Rutenberg also has some coordinator experience after working at the Senior Bowl. If the Commanders want a progressive mind ready for the next step in their development, this is an option to consider.
Commanders could hire DeAngelo Hall
- Assistant Defensive Backs Coach | Carolina Panthers
Wouldn't this be something?
DeAngelo Hall is no stranger to Washington Commanders fans. He was a supremely gifted shutdown cornerback who spent 10 years with the franchise and emerged as one of the league's most prolific players at the position.
After spending time as an analyst with the NFL Network following retirement, Hall opted to dip his toe into the coaching water this season. Even though the Carolina Panthers are going through some real struggles right now, the former first-round pick out of Virginia Tech has been lauded for his fine work with a secondary that's performed well above expectations this season.
Despite missing Jaycee Horn for almost the entire campaign, the Panthers are No. 6 in passing yards allowed with 176.4. This represents a significant achievement and even though defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero deserves the lion's share of credit, Hall's contribution cannot be overlooked either.
Hiring Hall to a coordinator position with just one season of coaching experience is a gamble. However, he played 14 years in the league and is well-versed in the modern defensive concepts deployed by Evero, who could be in line for a head coaching gig in 2024 as one of the few whose reputation hasn't been tarnished by Carolina's failings in 2023.
Hall was a fiery individual who quickly became a fan favorite in Washington. This is a high-risk move all things considered, but the rewards could be substantial.
Commanders could hire Bobby Babich
- Linebackers Coach | Buffalo Bills
Appointing coordinators sometimes involves finding those hidden gems that are highly motivated to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them. While this isn't the most high-profile method, it would represent a nice change of pace for the Washington Commanders after spending big money on names that just couldn't get the job done during the ill-fated era of Dan Snyder.
Jack Del Rio also falls into this category. His reputation played a significant role in getting the job, but the last two seasons have been extremely disappointing when one considers the investment made across all three levels of Washington's unit via free agency and the draft.
A change of direction is needed - something that the new ownership regime also recognizes. He wouldn't be the first name on any list, but Bobby Babich is a worthy candidate to monitor nonetheless.
Babich has drawn rave reviews from players and coaches alike for his fine work in recent years. He has proven credentials working with linebackers and safeties, gaining valuable experience under defensive-minded head coach Sean McDermott to further enhance his reputation.
Matt Milano famously declared Babich the NFL's best coach, which is proof positive of the esteem in which he was held. This would be another trip into the unknown for the coach and the Commanders, but it might just provide the spark needed to inspire a talented yet underperforming group.
Commanders could hire D.J. Eliot
- Linebackers Coach | Philadelphia Eagles
If you can't beat them, join them.
The Philadelphia Eagles look primed for another deep postseason run in 2023. They've beaten the Washington Commanders twice this season - albeit by fine margins on both occasions - but the two franchises are going in different directions currently.
This might be the reason above all else that signals the end of Jack Del Rio's tenure as defensive coordinator. Every dog has its day, and the introduction of Josh Harris' ownership group coupled with the recent social media criticism from Magic Johnson means the experienced figure is likely to be seeking alternative employment at some stage.
If the Commanders think outside the box with their next hire, then taking a closer look at D.J. Eliot is a possibility. The linebackers coach is gaining significant traction after leaping from college to the pros, where he served as a defensive coordinator for programs including Kansas, Temple, Colorado, and Kentucky.
Eliot has earned his stripes and possesses bags of experience despite being relatively young in coaching circles. This is the sort of up-and-comer from a talented organization that usually generates a lot of interest, so the Commanders might not be alone in coveting the coach if this is the path they choose to go down.
But now that the Commanders are an attractive destination once again, anything is possible.
Commanders could hire Larry Foote
- Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the Washington Commanders want someone with more in the way of legitimate NFL experience, then offering Larry Foote full defensive control would be something to consider. Currently serving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the two-time Super Bowl winner might relish the prospect of joining a big market team that could springboard him to a head coaching gig somewhere down the line.
Someone like Foote would also command instant respect within the locker room. He played 14 seasons in the league as a former fourth-round selection, gaining 818 tackles and 25 sacks for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Detroit Lions throughout a glittering career, which holds a lot of weight.
There is more frequency of ex-players rapidly emerging through the coaching ranks. Some like Dan Campbell and DeMeco Ryans are also thriving in top positions, so it's something worth considering if those in power deem Jack Del Rio surplus to requirements as expected.
It'll be interesting to see how the Commanders approach this situation. The timing must be right on all fronts if landmark changes arrive, but people behind the scenes should already be coming up with shortlists if things don't start trending upward over Washington's final seven games.
A new head coach would want to implement his staff. But the Commanders could make some suggestions to speed up the process during what's sure to be one of the most eventful offseasons in franchise history.