The Commanders intend to part ways with coach Ron Rivera at the end of the season, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday.
The 61-year-old Rivera, who has compiled a 26-36-1 (.421) record in four seasons in Washington, is enduring his worst year as a head coach, with the Commanders sitting at 4–9.
Russini reported that new Commanders owner Josh Harris already has made the decision to fire the veteran coach as the club will look to build around a likely top pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
“At this point it’s understood around the building based on multiple people I have spoken with that Ron Rivera and some front office members will be fired,” Russini wrote. “Since acquiring the team, new owner Josh Harris has had the vision to keep Rivera in place through the end of the season, then move on. It’s really not a secret anymore.”
In nine seasons with Carolina prior to his Commanders tenure, Rivera led the Panthers to a 76–63–1 record and a Super Bowl appearance, but he’s been unable to replicate that success in Washington.
After winning the NFC East and making the playoffs in 2020, the Commanders are poised to miss the postseason for the third consecutive season. Washington last posted a winning record in 2016, when the franchise went 8–7–1 under Jay Gruden.