Ron Rivera is probably looking on in complete disbelief about what's unfolding with the Washington Commanders this season. The strides made since firing the head coach represented a breath of fresh air for all involved. Although positive for the franchise, it's a damning indictment of his four-year tenure before Josh Harris' ownership group pulled the plug.
After taking a year out, Rivera is looking to get back involved. He's had three head coaching interviews without getting a second look as yet. This ship might have sailed, but one analyst believes there could be an unexpected twist to come.
Analyst projects Ron Rivera to join Commanders' bitter division rival
Maurice Moton from The Bleacher Report projected Rivera to become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He's not been interviewed as yet with Jerry Jones focusing on bigger names, but the analyst pointed to the retread hires under his ownership as a reason why this couldn't be ruled out entirely.
"[Ron] Rivera won a division title in his first season with the then-Washington Football Team. In the following three years, Washington finished third or fourth in the NFC East while struggling to find a franchise quarterback. In Dallas, Rivera wouldn't have to worry about the quarterback position, with Dak Prescott entrenched as the starter. He could use his expertise to strengthen the Cowboys defense, which gave up the second-most points and fifth-most yards this past season. With the swirling rumors surrounding Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, Rivera would be a conservative option with low buzz. That said, the Cowboys brought in retreads with three of their last four head coaching hires: Mike McCarthy, Wade Phillips and Bill Parcells."Maurice Moton
This is something Commanders fans can get behind.
Rivera couldn't motivate his players. He couldn't properly evaluate personnel and made some critical errors with his first-round picks — all of whom are no longer with the Commanders. His inability to adjust in-game or prepare his squad effectively came with complications. The supposed culture he'd built was a mirage.
He's a good guy who overcame significant personal adversity during his Washington reign. But the game passed him by.
Jones' handling of team affairs in Dallas is coming in for increased criticism. The Cowboys are already behind in their head coaching search after he took so long to part ways with Mike McCarthy. Leading candidates are already taking jobs elsewhere. The links to Deion Sanders have subsided for now, so there's just no telling how this is going to play out.
Rivera is experienced, but this would be an underwhelming hire. However, it would allow Jones to be the center of attention as always. That wouldn't be the case if Sanders got the keys to the kingdom.
That's all Jones seems to care about. If people are talking about the Cowboys and he's making money, that suffices despite nothing but perennial underachievement for three decades.
It might (and probably will) come to nothing. But Rivera going to Washington's bitter division rival wouldn't exactly leave anybody in D.C. shaking with fear.
If anything, it would have the complete opposite effect.