Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Has 'Lot to Prove'

In his fourth season leading the Washington Commanders coach, Ron Rivera is aware of the need to win now, and the multiple angles from which it's coming.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders are days into their final preparations for the coming season, and on Wednesday Commander Country will get our first look at this year's team as training camp gets underway. 

When the Commanders take the practice field for the first time they'll do so knowing there's a lot of doubt surrounding the team through the national lens, and that fact is not lost on coach Ron Rivera.

"I've got a lot to prove," Rivera said. "I really do think we've put ourselves in a really good position. I think we're a good young football team with some key veterans in key positions and now is the opportunity to go. And yeah I do feel that I do want to prove some stuff."

The pressure to perform this season more than others isn't just rooted in the arrival of a new ownership group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris. 

Rivera acknowledged how close Washington has been to being a fully competitive squad in years past as another reason he feels the need to rise above expectations this year.

"We've been too close. For everything that we've done and for what we've had and how we've competed we've been too close the last couple of years," Rivera said. "We get into a really good run, it's time now to sustain it and just (prove) that these are the guys, these are the coaches, (and) that I'm the right guy to help this organization to continue to go forward."

Whether or not the media or even portions of the fan base believes Rivera and his staff are the right people for this job, he and his staff are going to get 2023 to prove the doubters wrong. 

Officially, the Commanders are already months into the process of overcoming low expectations. 

In the public record, however, that journey will start for Washington on Wednesday. 

When training camp opens to outside eyes and ears for the first time amidst the excitement new ownership brings, and existing as arguably the most interesting non-playoff team in the NFL.

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

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