Who could the Washington Commanders target as a potential replacement for defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio during or after the 2023 season?
Okay, I get the message. I wrote a piece a few days ago about how to fix the Washington Commanders' defense. It generated quite a bit of commentary. The comments mostly went like this:
“Fire Jack Del Rio.”
Some comments went into greater detail and included the potential removal of Ron Rivera, too. And some put forth the more radical notion of getting rid of everybody.
So I hear you. Let’s take a look at possible scenarios involving the coaching staff.
First of all, Rivera is not going anywhere. Josh Harris is not going to fire him, at least not anytime soon. There is a very strong likelihood that the new owner will look to bring in his own coach this off-season, but that was always going to be the case.
The last time Washington had a new owner, he intended to fire the inherited coach. However, Dan Snyder was foiled in that attempt because Norv Turner miraculously took his team to the playoffs in his first season. So he waited another year before bringing in the changes.
I suspect that even if Rivera pulls off a miraculous turnaround, Harris will look for someone new. But he will not fire him during the season. There is very little to gain from doing so.
Jack Del Rio, on the other hand, is on the hottest of hot seats right now. He has presided over a defensive rollercoaster during his time with the Commanders. And five weeks into a promising 2023 season, that defense is in its deepest trough ever.
Despite being loaded with high draft picks, they appear incapable of slowing down even the most mediocre of NFL offenses. No need to rehash the numbers. We’ve done that.
So, if the brain trust decides to shake things up by making a move at defensive coordinator, who might the Commanders turn to? Let’s look at this two ways: in-season and off-season.
Commanders DC replacements in-season
If the Washington Commanders decide to part company with Jack Del Rio during the season, they will be largely hamstrung. Their options will be very limited.
Every name at the top of my list for a new defensive coordinator is currently coaching for another NFL franchise. Moves like that in-season are highly irregular.
Of course, as McManus said in The Usual Suspects, “nothing is impossible". But I will remind you that he ended up dead a couple of scenes later.
If the Commanders move on from Del Rio in season, they would almost certainly name an interim replacement. That might come from one of two places.
Commanders could hire Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan comes from the broadcast booth, where his outspoken brashness plays very well. He obviously has the pedigree and would command instant respect within the locker room.
The son of legendary Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, the protege was a successful coordinator himself for the Baltimore Ravens before landing a head coaching job with the New York Jets. He had an up-and-down ride in New York and with the Buffalo Bills and has not coached since his ugly departure in 2016.
Ryan turns 61 years old in the coming weeks and I suspect he might relish one more bite at the apple. I actually think that his aggressive, emotional coaching style would be a good short-term panacea for a listless Commanders' defense.
But this situation isn’t ideal for someone in Ryan’s shoes, because it is entirely interim. I doubt he’d want the job, though I could be wrong.
Commanders could hire Richard Rodgers
The only other place the Washington Commanders could realistically turn in-season if they were to relieve defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio of his duties is to their own staff. An in-house promotion is usually met with approval from the players because they already have a relationship with the coach - something that would also ensure a relatively easy transition period given how things tend to move quickly during the regular season.
Richard Rodgers is the only current defensive coach with the resume to take over. He has been with Ron Rivera for more than a decade stemming from their time together on the Carolina Panthers, so there would certainly be a comfort level.
His position group - which is the safety unit - has probably been Washington’s most successful on defense during his time here. And he has some experience as a defensive coordinator – handling special teams for Carolina and coaching defenses at the college level.
If Del Rio were to go in-season, I think Rodgers is the obvious choice to step into the interim role. But one could make a strong case for bringing in a fresh set of ideas despite the short timeframe attached.
It's a tricky predicament. But if things continue in a similar manner, Rivera needs to protect his own job prospects rather than worry about loyalty to others.
Commanders DC replacements in 2024
This is where it gets far more interesting because the field becomes wide open. That includes current NFL assistants as well as college coaches.
Speculating about this is difficult because it will be largely dependent on whether there is a new Washington Commanders' head coach. If so, who he is? But in a vacuum, here are my top seven choices.
Commanders could hire Manny Diaz
Manny Diaz kind of flamed out as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. But now he is back to being a prolific defensive coordinator at Penn State, where he is presiding over one of the best groups in college football.
He has never coached in the NFL, which is the main reason for skepticism. However, he is still relatively young and has enjoyed great success at multiple major college programs. He’s ready for a shot at the pros.
Commanders could hire Jesse Minter
Jesse Minter fits the profile of the current coordinator. He is just 40 years old, but already has experience coaching in the NFL - he spent five years with the Baltimore Ravens coaching defensive backs - and now runs the Michigan Wolverines' defense.
When Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh had to serve a brief suspension at the beginning of this season, Minter took over the head coaching duties. He is, consequently, undefeated as a college head coach.
If you watch Michigan play defense, you can see why the Commanders might look in his direction.
Commanders could hire Matt Burke
Matt Burke has been coaching defenses in the NFL for close to 20 years, and he is still just 47 years old. He has served stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, coaching one of the most productive defensive lines in the league. He has been a coordinator for several teams and is currently filling that role for the Houston Texans.
I figure if DeMeco Ryans brings you in to be his defensive coordinator, that is an outstanding endorsement. So why would he make a parallel move to be a coordinator for another club?
For the exact same reason that the Washington Commanders were able to hire Eric Bieniemy away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
With a defensive guru like Ryans as head coach, Burke’s light might be diminished. If the Commanders bring in an offensive-minded head coach this off-season if Ron Rivera is let go, he could be an ideal counterpart.
Commanders could hire Joe Cullen
If that offensive-minded head coach turns out to be Bieniemy, might he pluck his colleague from Kansas City?
Joe Cullen only overlapped with Bieniemy for one season with the Chiefs. But he has extensive defensive line coaching experience in the NFL, including a five-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens from 2016 to 2020.
He then moved on to become defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, where his defense finished in the middle of the pack - two spots ahead of the Commanders in total defense. You may recall that was a nightmare year under the short-lived tenure of head coach Urban Meyer.
The new regime did not rehire Cullen and he moved on to Kansas City for the 2022 season. With his reputation restored, this is an option to consider.
Commanders could hire Chris Harris
Chris Harris is currently serving as the Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator. But prior to this season, he coached the Washington Commanders' defensive backs for three seasons. He helped develop players like Kamren Curl, Benjamin St-Juste, Jimmy Moreland, and Darrick Forrest.
Were Harris still on staff in D.C., he would be the most obvious choice to take over as an interim coordinator were the Commanders to make an in-season move with Jack Del Rio. He will be a hot candidate for coordinator jobs over the next several seasons, and Washington would be smart to bring him back.
Though he is not at the top of my wish list, I think he is the most likely candidate to become the Commanders' next defensive coordinator.
Commanders could hire Jerod Mayo
For someone who has only coached for five years and has yet to rise above the position-coach level, Jerod Mayo has become something of a myth. That’s what happens when someone like Bill Belichick takes you under his wing and essentially declares you to be the coach-in-waiting.
Mayo is not leaving the New England Patriots - at least I don’t think he is. If he were to entertain offers, Washington would have to check him out.
He was an excellent and smart player, and in his limited time on the Patriots' coaching staff, Mayo has had nothing but success. He will be a head coach down the road. The idea here is to buy into the myth early.
Commanders could hire Anthony Weaver
I don’t think Anthony Weaver would leave the Baltimore Ravens to become a defensive coordinator for another team because it would essentially be a step backward. This is due to the respected mind currently being listed as associate head coach and defensive line coach.
What is odd about this setup is that the Ravens have a separate defensive coordinator. This is not a typical NFL chain of command, but I have seen no indication that Weaver is unhappy with the situation.
He has been a dynamic, successful defensive line coach and coordinator for many years. Weaver is still just 43 years old, so the Washington Commanders would be getting someone not entirely set in their ways and willing to move with modern trends around the league - a trait that Jack Del Rio is lacking currently.
I suspect Weaver is gunning for a head coaching gig in the near future, but perhaps an associate head coach/defensive coordinator spot alongside someone like Eric Bieniemy would appeal to him. If so, Commanders would be wise to snap him up as fast as possible.
It remains to be seen what comes next. Del Rio's defense tends to get better as the season goes on, but there is no margin for error with Josh Harris' ownership group eager to make an immediate impact with their new investment.
If Del Rio cannot get the job done, they'll find someone who can.
Del Rio's been losing a lot lately but Bet365 is helping Commanders fans in Virginia score a BIG win with a special promo: Bet $5, Win $150 GUARANTEED bonus! Just sign up with this link, deposit at least $10 and then bet $5 or more and you'll receive $150 in bonus bets win or lose.
If you win, you'll still get those winnings as well. The sweet smell of guaranteed bonus cash will wash away Del Rio's stench - sign up for Bet365 now!