Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Martin Mayhew, Brian Robinson and Mitchell Tinsley

Commanders HC Ron Rivera's clarification

Although the Washington Commanders were primarily focused on building their roster and making some tough calls, head coach Ron Rivera made the news for a different reason. His omission to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about not knowing how good Sam Howell was despite months of watching the quarterback in practice came in for criticism, which is yet another example of the figurehead speaking something out of turn this offseason.

These latest comments - which also claimed he wouldn't have started Howell sooner had he been fully aware of the potential attached - came just a few short weeks after Rivera publicly confirmed players had come to him unhappy with Eric Bieniemy's coaching methods. In truth, it's yet another unnecessary distraction ahead of Washington's crossroads campaign.

When probed about the comments on Tuesday, Rivera stated via The Washington Times that it was the Commanders' being in the playoff hunt that prevented Howell's introduction and not his talent.

"We were also in the middle of a run. We were trying to get into the playoffs and we had some things going our way. So, you know, the timing of it all was just hard for us."

- Ron Rivera via Washington Times

The fact Rivera was unaware the Commanders could be eliminated from playoff contention at one stage makes this statement seem particularly strange. Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke weren't going to get it done, so throwing Howell in at the deep end might have been the difference between success and failure.