Washington Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Reveals Plan After Jack Del Rio Firing

Communication has been key for Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera after the firing of former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Pressure can prompt change, and few coaches are under more pressure than Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. 

The Commanders (4-8) are on a three-game losing streak, the latest of which was a drubbing on Thanksgiving with a 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys (8-3). That loss led to the firing of former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who had held the position since 2020, on Friday. Defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer was also relieved of his duties on the same day.

With Del Rio gone, Rivera will now assume the role of defensive play-caller, and he said he's been communicating more with players and coaches.

Commanders Will 'Do Things Differently' Amid Coaching Changes

"You most certainly want to make sure you talk to specific guys, and that's what I did on Friday and on Saturday and then today," Rivera said. "We'll continue to take input from those guys, but also, more importantly, talking to the coaches, listening to the position coaches and kind of getting some feedback from them as well. You most certainly want to make sure you talk to specific guys, and just go from there."

Ron Rivera after the Washington Commanders' loss to the Dallas Cowboys / Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

Things can't get any worse for the Commanders' defense. They're ranked last in points per game and are allowing 35 points per game during their three-game losing streak. 

Rivera cut his teeth as a defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (2004-2006) and Los Angeles Chargers (2008-2010) before becoming the Carolina Panthers head coach in 2011. While it's been years since Rivera was a defensive coordinator, going back to his roots could be what the defense needs to improve in the final five games of the season. 

Communicating with the players and coaches on defense can only help as well. For Rivera's sake, more communication needs to help the Commanders and their defense, or else it may not be long before he's following Del Rio out the door. 

Rivera will face a tough first test as the defensive play-caller when Washington hosts the Miami Dolphins (8-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.