Commanders Sale to Bring 'Layer of Urgency'?

The Washington Commanders sale may have a ripple effect throughout the organization.

Few teams will be under more pressure in 2023 than the Washington Commanders. 

Along with the pressure to win after missing the playoffs for two straight years, the organization is set to undergo a seismic shift with its impending change in ownership. 

With change on the horizon and the need to win this season, NFL.com listed how Washington will look this season as one of its five biggest questions while the teams head into their break before training camp. 

"The most immediate intrigue will surround whether the new ownership will start making changes inside the building right away and how they will evaluate the decisions of the current braintrust," NFL.com writes. "New owners mean every employee in the organization is on notice, which will add a layer of urgency beginning in training camp."

CBS Sports reported on Wednesday that NFL Owners have been told to set aside dates to vote on the sale, July 20 and Aug. 8. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said he hopes the sale takes place before training camp begins on July 25.

“I think it'll help a lot," Rivera said. "I mean, there's still some things that we've gotta be able to move on from and have decided on. That's just the biggest part of, it, just being able to get all those other little details taken care of that we need to have taken care of. That's a big part of it for us.”

If approved, Josh Harris will buy the Commanders from Dan Snyder for $6.05 billion, which would be the most expensive sale most expensive in North American sports.

"The Commanders have been in limbo -- worse, they have backslid -- in the last few years, as Snyder has been the subject of numerous investigations, FedEx Field further deteriorated and the last eight months have been consumed by the sale process," NFL.com writes. "Snyder's departure should energize the fans."

Rivera will undoubtedly be under the most pressure with the new ownership. Washington has gone 22-27-1 in his three seasons as head coach. With new ownership Rivera will have no ties to Harris, putting more pressure on him to produce in his fourth year. 

This is the second time Rivera has undergone an ownership change as head coach. He was fired by the Carolina Panthers over a year after David Tepper became the owner. 

The Walton-Penner group bought the Denver Broncos in Aug. 2022 and inherited first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett was fired 15 games into the 2022 season.

With the added "layer of urgency," that comes with a new owner, Rivera's job will likely depend on how Washington plays in 2023. How Rivera and his team handle the added pressure may lead to change on and off the field after the 2023 season. 

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