Commanders News: Sam Howell, Eric Bieniemy, Jack Del Rio and Ron Rivera

Commanders HC Ron Rivera's clarification

Just when it looked like Ron Rivera wouldn't have to focus on anything other than football heading into the Washington Commanders' game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, the head coach's comments regarding players being unhappy with Eric Bieniemy's coaching methods made national news. While the figurehead probably thought they were harmless at the time, that was not an opinion shared by everyone and came just hours before the play-caller was due to take the podium.

Rivera was forced to clarify his comments and offer an apology of sorts to Bieniemy during his media availability on Wednesday. This was done with a prepared statement and he also thought it had been blown out of all proportion based on his comments via Pro Football Talk.

"I basically told him I put my foot in my mouth. I think what I said wasn’t as clear as it needed to be. I think the understanding of it is just the fact that I think everybody’s making, in my opinion, a little bit more than needs to be made of this."

- Ron Rivera via Pro Football Talk

Perhaps Rivera is right about more being made of the comments than needed. But that doesn't change the fact he should have kept this in-house rather than airing the Commanders' dirty laundry in public.

Hopefully, this won't have any lingering impact on their relationship and everything can proceed on course with the regular season now firmly in sight. And as for the players, they need to get with the program and man up.