Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Mitchell Tinsley, Rashaan Evans and Sam Howell
By Dean Jones
Commanders HC Ron Rivera's last shot
There is an enormous sense of positivity around the Washington Commanders these days. However, that does not detract from the precarious situation facing head coach Ron Rivera heading into the 2023 campaign.
Rivera has enjoyed moderate success over his three years in the job so far. It wasn't an easy situation to inherit, but the new ownership group led by Josh Harris will be expecting better fortunes now that their figurehead can focus firmly on the football side of things and nothing else.
The former linebacker's inability to properly evaluate the quarterback spot remains a topic of fierce debate. Something that was recently brought up by Thom Loverro from The Washington Times, who highlighted that Rivera lucked into Sam Howell rather than seeing what talent lay underneath where the former fifth-round selection is concerned.
"Consider this — Rivera may have never come to this conclusion if it wasn’t for Taylor Heinicke, who, after being benched for Wentz in Washington’s 24-10 disastrous loss to the Cleveland Browns, had no intention of taking the field for that Dallas game and instead reportedly talked Rivera into playing Howell. Fortunately for the new era of the Commanders, they have been handed a slam-dunk start — a home opener before a sold-out crowd likely full of Washington fans with the new owners, including Magic Johnson, on hand facing the 2023 patsy of the league, the Arizona Cardinals. Even Ron Rivera won’t likely foul that up."
- Thom Loverro, The Washington Times
The stars might be aligning for Rivera. But anything less than a wildcard spot would likely see Harris' group contemplate entering the coaching infrastructure down and starting over in 2024.