Commanders Have Decided to Fire Coach Ron Rivera, per Report

After four seasons in Washington, the team reportedly will part ways with its head coach of four seasons.
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The Commanders intend to part ways with coach Ron Rivera at the end of the season, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday.

The 61-year-old Rivera, who has compiled a 26-36-1 (.421) record in four seasons in Washington, is enduring his worst year as a head coach, with the Commanders sitting at 4–9.

Russini reported that new Commanders owner Josh Harris already has made the decision to fire the veteran coach as the club will look to build around a likely top pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

“At this point it’s understood around the building based on multiple people I have spoken with that Ron Rivera and some front office members will be fired,” Russini wrote. “Since acquiring the team, new owner Josh Harris has had the vision to keep Rivera in place through the end of the season, then move on. It’s really not a secret anymore.”

Ron Rivera, Head Coach, Commanders
Ron Rivera’s tenure in Washington reportedly will end at the conclusion of the 2023 season / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

In nine seasons with Carolina prior to his Commanders tenure, Rivera led the Panthers to a 76–63–1 record and a Super Bowl appearance, but he’s been unable to replicate that success in Washington.

After winning the NFC East and making the playoffs in 2020, the Commanders are poised to miss the postseason for the third consecutive season. Washington last posted a winning record in 2016, when the franchise went 8–7–1 under Jay Gruden.


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Frankie Taddeo
FRANKIE TADDEO

Frankie Taddeo is a successful high-stakes fantasy football player who created the first-ever DFS program offered in a Las Vegas sportsbook. Besides contributing NFL fantasy analysis with a Vegas slant, Frankie primarily performs as Sports Illustrated's Senior Betting Analyst providing his significant experience and resources in the sports betting scene.