The 2020 Washington Football Team became the third team in NFL history to win a division with a losing record.
First-year head coach Ron Rivera led the squad to a 7-9 slate which is impressive considering that they were 2-7 at one point.
But on second thought, somebody had to win the NFC East and Washington was the best team for the job.
At one end, you can impart much optimism on their squad given how they nearly beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
Yet deep down, Washington was lucky and Rivera knows that.
Unfortunately, the situation within the team and the division leans toward failure rather than success.
If things don’t turn around, his days in the nation’s capital are numbered.
Doing Two Important And Stressful Roles
Being an NFL head coach alone is tough.
You have to facilitate practice every week, conduct meetings to finalize strategies, and build rapport with the players.
In short, it is a seemingly endless job that pays well but bestows much stress.
That’s just one of Rivera’s two roles with the Washington Football Team because he’s also the de facto general manager.
Consistency is want Ron Rivera wants most from his squad on Thursday against the Pats. Consistency in their communication, consistency in handling details, etc. He didn’t share much (read: anything) about who he’ll be playing though pic.twitter.com/bHVrv0LwHE
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 10, 2021
Therefore, he’s the one in charge of screening free agents or rookies that will help their cause.
He’s also looking into potential trades to help improve their roster.
Rivera also handles salary negotiations with players and agents as part of his second role.
It’s tough enough to do a fantastic role in one of his jobs, much less two.
The weight on his shoulders is heavier, and that multiplies the reasons of him eventually getting the boot.
The Quarterback Situation Is Still In Limbo
Alex Smith is gone, and recent reports show that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the team’s starter.
“Fitz Magic” had a resurgence when he spared the Miami Dolphins from defeat in multiple occasions.
But the situation in Washington is different.
Can he sustain those performances knowing that he will be getting most of the snaps?
It seems like he’s more comfortable as a reserve and not as a starter because his best days are behind him.
"There's a lot of different guys you have to defend in this offense." @WashingtonNFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick joined @KimJonesSports after practice! pic.twitter.com/huPkkBiAOG
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 10, 2021
Meanwhile, Taylor Heinicke was a revelation during their game against the Buccaneers and was poised to become the team’s starter.
But a small sample size of his capabilities is not enough for Rivera to vouch for him.
After all, either he really is talented or he got lucky in those games.
Though they are the reigning division champions, Washington has the most uneasy quarterback situation among NFC East teams.
The Dallas Cowboys will be getting Dak Prescott back, and the New York Giants will have another run with Daniel Jones.
Even the Philadelphia Eagles, projected cellar dwellers in the division, have Jalen Hurts.
This can spell doom for Rivera if he will not be able to figure this out.
He’s Working For Dan Snyder
Snyder took full control of the Football Team when he bought out his three minority partners for $900 million.
But even before the takeover, patience isn’t a virtue for the businessman.
There’s a long history of fired coaches and traded players in hopes of speeding up success.
He also a track record of free agent signings that didn’t make sense (i.e. Albert Haynesworth, Deion Sanders, Antwaan Randle El).
When Snyder and Rivera will have a clash of ideas, the latter loses.
It won’t be a surprise if Rivera is on the hot seat despite winning the division last year.
That’s how fast things happen, not necessarily for the better, under Snyder.
NEXT: Ryan Fitzpatrick Could Be What Washington Needs To Succeed
John Phillips says
I disagree with everything said in this article. Ron Rivera will remain the head coach and will be successful because he is a great coach and a proven winner. He has changed the culture for the Washington organization for the better and this is exactly why Dan Snyder hired him in the first place. Dan Snyder has learned from many of his past mistakes, and he is allowing Ron to run the team. I don’t see that changing as long as Ron continues to be successful, and I am confident that he will.
Brock says
Has he really changed the culture?
Anonymous says
He has 3 winning seasons in 10 yrs as coach that ain’t a proven winner to me
Anonymous says
Ron Rivera had a jay gruden training camp where players try not to get hurt instead of getting better Curtis sameuls was a wasted signing he should have took the George Allen approach at linebacker and he reached for jamin Davis I have no faith in him for 22 Team needs to sign Allen Robinson in off season and get a left tackle or the big Texas tight end with first pick The line doesn’t open holes or get to next level heinkes running for his life
Anonymous says
you are crazy
Don O says
Ron sucks, WFT sucks, Danny sucks,
we have no GM, we have a retread coach, our decent players can’t get on the field, our O line is oft-injured and we’ve got a backup QB that’s struggling to put points on the board. Scott Turner is a fine offensive coordinator, but we need guys to step up. How many current WFT players are executing at a level ABOVE expectations? A handful or less each game. That’s a loser right there,