Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Sam Howell, Nick Gates and training camp

When could the Commanders fire Ron Rivera?

Ron Rivera is perceived by many to be a lame-duck head coach heading into the 2023 season. The Washington Commanders could be set for wholesale changes without marked progress in 2023 once Josh Harris' ownership group comes into the fold, who'll have boots on the ground at training camp if their sale vote receives approval on July 20 as expected.

This is been met with nonchalant responses from Rivera when probed during the saga. He's seen it all before with the Carolina Panthers and remains focused on football matters, but it's not hard to envisage how things might unfold if the Commanders don't get off to a hot start.

When examining the Los Angeles Rams' game against Washington in Week 15, Kenneth Arthur from SB Nation indicated Rivera might be long gone by then. Something that could make things especially tricky if Eric Bieniemy is in a top job - albeit on an interim basis - at long last.

"It’s probably do or die time for head coach Ron Rivera, entering his fourth season with Washington and yet to finish a season above .500. Playing in a division in which all three other teams made the playoffs, the Commanders have even more work to do than most basement teams in order to reach the postseason. So by Week 15, it could be offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy or veteran Jack Del Rio leading the team with an interim tag. It could be any number of people playing quarterback. Unless Washington gets off to a good start and is much better than people expect, the Commanders might have gone into the tank by December."

- Kenneth Arthur, SB Nation

This is obviously a worst-case scenario, but it's not an unrealistic one. The Commanders have the talent and Rivera has everyone pulling in the same direction, but things are hanging in the balance heading into the new campaign.

More Commanders news stories