'I'm Fired Up!' Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Changes Focus After Sale

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera is finally getting to direct almost all of his attention to coaching for the first time since he arrived.

ASHBURN, Va. -- There are plenty of people happy to see the sale of the Washington Commanders completed earlier this month. 

Of all of them, however, there may be none happier outside of the new ownership group than Commanders coach Ron Rivera who has spent his entire tenure with the team balancing between being a head football coach and public relations manager.

"(Before the sale) you were having to deal with stuff outside of football, now it's about football," Rivera said following the official transfer of control. "We're going to focus in on what's important to us, and that's playing the game, so I'm fired up about that. I am."

Of course, fans come in a close second among those celebrating or feeling the relief of the Josh Harris era beginning. 

And they've shown their joy by supporting the team at a level not seen since the days following the NFL Draft selection of quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen wasn't here back then and he told fans at a pep rally in July that he's been waiting his entire career to see them as fired up as they are today.

As a first-year Commanders offensive tackle Andrew Wylie is no stranger to fan adoration from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs, but even he understands the shift in energy that is happening within his new fanbase.

"It's incredible. They're loud, they're enthusiastic," Wylie said of the fans in attendance during Week 1 of training camp. "A lot of the guys (who) have been here are shocked. This is not what they're used to, but I mean, this is incredible. It just goes to show, the fans are there. They believe in us...and we're going out there with an intent to win every single game. So that's how we practice."

A new day has arrived in Washington and everyone around it is appreciative of the new energy surging in and around the team as it sets out to achieve the difficult task of installing a new quarterback and offense in the same season. 

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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