Commanders Owner Josh Harris 'Very Supportive' of Coach Ron Rivera

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris is "excited" to spend time with head coach Ron Rivera.

For all the uncertainty surrounding Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera's future, he appears to be on steady ground with new owner Josh Harris. 

Harris spoke about the upcoming season and said he's looking forward to getting to know Rivera more. 

"This is a big season, and we look forward to learning and watching and seeing what happens," Harris said. "I'm very excited to be spending time with Coach Rivera and his staff and players and understanding what's going on, and I'm very supportive right now of what they're doing.”

Rivera is heading into his fourth season as the Commanders head coach. Through three seasons, Washington has gone 22-27-1 and made one playoff appearance in 2020 under Rivera. 

Harris officially being approved as Washington's new owner on Thursday also marks the second time Rivera has dealt with an ownership change as a head coach. When Rivera held the same role with the Carolina Panthers, David Tepper became the team's new owner before the 2018 season. Rivera stayed with the franchise through that year and was fired after week 13 in 2019. 

Rivera spent nine seasons in Carolina, going 76-63-1, and they won the NFC title in 2015. 

The pressure for Rivera and Washington is not just because of ownership change. The Commanders have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and have yet to finish over .500 since 2016. 

If the Commanders improve from last season, Rivera will likely be off the hot seat. But if the struggles that plagued Washington the last two seasons persist, he may be the first significant domino to fall in the Harris era. 

Time will only tell what Harris' vision is for the Commanders, and how Rivera factors into it. While Harris may be supportive of Rivera for the time being, the true test of his support will come once the season is finally underway. 

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