Commanders' Ron Rivera Feeling Hot Seat: 'I Could Be Gone in a Year'
Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera is entering the fourth season of a five-year deal, but the 61-year-old believes that the 2023 season could be his last in the nation's capital.
"I could be gone in a year. That's football," Rivera told The Washington Times. "I understand that. But what I want to do, is when I leave, I want everybody to go and say, 'Boy the roster's in a good place.' … That's great. I want to walk away saying that's what I did. I'm good with it. I understand it."
After failing to finish above .500 in each of his first three seasons and a new owner looming in the shadows, Rivera is aware that whoever Dan Snyder sells the team to could be looking to replace him with his own choice for head coach.
Rivera has also improved the roster in each year during his tenure, but in 2023, he's taking a big risk by rolling the dice with Sam Howell at quarterback. Should the Commanders fail to live up to expectations, the finger will be pointed at Rivera for his lack of judgment at the quarterback position.
In 2022, Rivera chose to start Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke in the penultimate game of the season, a decision that proved costly as the Commanders lost at home with their playoff destiny in their hands.
Should Rivera make similar misjudgments, he really could be gone in a year.
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