Commanders Ron Rivera are ‘confident and comfortable’ in their position

ASHBURN, Virginia, — Washington Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said he’s “confident and comfortable” in what he’s done since joining the organization during a turbulent period in franchise history and that he didn’t think about his job security.

With a 4-6 record heading into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants and with new ownership in Josh Harris, Rivera’s professional status will be a topic of conversation. Harris said he will give football operations, including the coaching staff and front office, the full season so he can better evaluate his next move.

But Rivera is in the fourth year of his program and, although they won the NFC East in 2020, the Commanders have yet to finish with a winning record under him. Rivera said his main focus remains quarterback development Sam Howell, in his first season as a starter, and the entire offense. Washington hasn’t posted a winning record since 2016 and hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2005 season.

“My big disappointment is that we didn’t play as good defense as we needed to. Does this jeopardize my job security? It’s possible,” Rivera said. “I have no idea what Mr. Harris is going to do. The truth is, that’s the nature of the game. I understand. If it happens, it happens. If I stay, I stay. Until then, We will continue to work.”

Rivera has been through this before. In 2019, he was let go by new owner David Tepper in Carolina after nearly nine seasons with the team. Panthers.

That’s why he said it wasn’t difficult for him to block out his thoughts about his future. In Carolina, he guided the franchise to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. The Panthers went 11-5 two years later, and two years later he was fired when the team fell to 5-7 following a loss. in Washington.

In Washington, Rivera gained complete control of the football and became the face of the franchise. Meanwhile, Washington: changed its name; was the subject of investigations into the organization’s culture under owner Dan Snyder; was investigated and fined $10 million by the NFL; was investigated by Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. The Drug Enforcement Agency raided the office of former head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion.

Rivera has also been dealing with her own cancer. In August 2020, he announced that he was suffering from squamous cell carcinoma. Although he completed his treatments during the season, the effects of the treatments on his body persisted for a few years, affecting his stamina and energy.

“S—, I’ve been through enough,” Rivera said. “The last three and a half years haven’t been easy. Anyone who thinks it’s been easy, be damned. I’m going to be honest. That’s how I feel about the last three years. That was a lot. We did a lot; “We had our moments. What feels good at the end of the day and the questions that need to be asked: Is the culture better and have we found the quarterback? That’s all I can control. Our guys will come out and play hard the rest of the way, and we’ll see what happens.

Rivera has said in recent weeks that he believes Washington has its quarterback of the present and future in Howell. Through 10 games, Howell leads the NFL with 2,783 yards (and has 32 more pass attempts than any other quarterback). He is tied for fifth in the NFL with 17 touchdowns and fourth with nine interceptions. Rivera said he continues to have conversations with Harris about players, plans and games.

“Mr. Harris has been great,” Rivera said. “He’s playing close to the vest, as he should, and it’s his prerogative as an owner to make the decisions he feels are best for the future. We’re going to continue to work and play hard and see how it’s unfolding. I’ll control what I can and that’s what happens on the football field.”

Washington just suffered a last-second defeat Seattle. He swapped his two starting ends — Sweatshirt Montez has Chicago And Chase away the young has San Francisco — by the October 30 deadline. This left commanders thin at this position, especially with James Smith-Williamswho started the last two games at left wing with a hamstring injury.

“Last week we didn’t have the pressure on the quarterback that I would have liked to have,” Rivera said. “(Seahawks quarterback) Geno (Smith) was struggling. It would have been nice to put more pressure on the quarterback. It would have helped us and given us a better opportunity to win, but I’ll work with it what we have. and manage what we have and stick to what I said.”