Ron Rivera’s Week 18 Goals May Not Be Aligned With Commanders

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera's Week 18 goals may not be aligned with the best long-term interests of the organization.

While he won't say this publicly, new Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris is likely hoping that his team loses in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, securing the No. 2 pick and a chance for his franchise to pick whatever quarterback isn't taken with the top overall selection. 

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The problem is that it's the worst-kept secret in the NFL that Ron Rivera won't be employed at this time next week, leaving the two-time Coach of the Year little motivation to help engineer a loss in Week 18. 

There's the obvious: most coaches aren't wired to go along with trying to lose. You can build a bad roster, but the coach is still going to try to make chicken salad out of it, because that's their job. Brian Flores with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and Lovie Smith with the Houston Texans in Week 18 a year ago are examples of this. 

Beyond that, though, every coach is aware of their win/loss record, and Rivera's is at an inflection point. He will enter Week 18 with a 102-102-1 record in 13 seasons as an NFL coach, split between the Commanders and Carolina Panthers. Rivera still may be holding out hope of eventually getting another coaching job, however unlikely that may be. What's more likely is that the 61-year-old will be coaching the final game of his career Sunday afternoon, which, barring a tie, will determine whether he finishes with a winning or losing record. 

Washington has lost seven games in a row, a period in which quarterback Sam Howell has been a turnover machine and likely played his way out of an opportunity to retain his job for next season. It's entirely possible that even if Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy put together their best gameplan of the season, the Commanders will still lose to a Cowboys team trying to secure both the NFC East title and No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. 

But strange things happen when coaches don't have anything to lose. Smith and the aforementioned Texans upset the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 a season ago, playing themselves out of having the No. 1 overall pick. In the end, things have worked out alright for them since the Carolina Panthers took Bryce Young with the top pick, leaving them likely Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud at No. 2. Still, as an organization, you would prefer to have the most leverage possible heading into the draft, and having the highest pick attainable would do that. 

The Chicago Bears -- via the Panthers -- have clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With Justin Fields at quarterback, it's entirely possible they'll be open for business with that top pick. If the Commanders are hell-bent on getting USC quarterback Caleb Williams, it would be easier to trade up from No. 2 than No. 3 or No. 4. Maybe the next Commanders regime will prefer North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye or Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. -- losing this weekend would be much better for them in that quest. 

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Again, though, Rivera has no motivation to care. He doesn't want to finish his second coaching stint on an eight-game losing streak. He certainly doesn't want to finish his coaching career under .500. So the competing interests will be worth monitoring Sunday afternoon.