Washington Commanders Ron Rivera Reveals 'Biggest Challenge' in Taking Over Defense

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is now the defensive play-caller and has highlighted the biggest challenge he faces with a new voice in the players' ears.

They say change is as good as a holiday, and for the Washington Commanders, defensively, there has been plenty of change over the last couple of days.

With defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer being relieved of their positions, head coach Ron Rivera will now take over the defensive play-calling duties.

Changing coaches mid-season isn't ideal, and with players used to having one voice for the majority of the season, for that to change, it will take some getting used to.

“I think the biggest challenge, more than anything else, is just keeping them focused, keeping them right where they need to be and understanding that what we're doing is trying to create opportunities, and we'll see what happens,” Rivera said.

Rivera now takes over a defense that is ranked last for points allowed per game (29.2) as he looks to turn things around.

With the Commanders' season now nearly over at 4-8 after the 45-10 belting by the Dallas Cowboys, there could be an avenue for Rivera to look at some of the younger players on the roster and give them some playing time.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera knows the challenge that's in front of him as he takes over the defensive play-calling duties / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

But right now, he isn't thinking that way. Instead, he's more focused on the players who are playing now.

“I think it's more about the guys that are playing right now," Rivera said. "And again, seeing them grow and develop. I think that's really one of the more important things is playing with who you have. We're not going to reach out and just throw somebody out there for the sake of say, ‘Well, I wanted to see what he did.’ I think this is more about, this is who we have and let's continue to work with them and continue to help them grow and develop.”

Times are changing in Washington as the new ownership led by Josh Harris is getting a taste of just how brutal NFL football can be.

There is still plenty of football to be played, and the organization will find out a lot about its players over the next five games and while Rivera's task to turn around the league's worst defense (for points allowed) seems herculean, nothing that's worth having comes easy.

And with the changes happening thick and fast, the next five weeks for Washington will be anything but easy.