What a difference a week makes. Seven days ago, Washington Commanders fans were worried a win over Chicago wouldn’t have enough style points to indicate the team had turned a corner. Instead, a 40-20 defeat at the hands of the previously winless Bears has fans asking an entirely new set of questions.
Is Ron Rivera on the way out?
No one argues that Rivera is well respected, a decent person, and the right coach at the right time when he was hired in 2020. He’s beaten cancer and helped shepherd the locker room through a name change, congressional investigations, and an ownership change.
Now, however, he and his staff are looking increasingly antiquated and left behind in a rapidly changing NFL.
Except for Emmanuel Forbes Jr, none of the team’s draft picks have seen any appreciable time on the field through five games (and Forbes was benched against Chicago). That’s unacceptable.
Rivera’s free agent signings have been mediocre at best and horrible at worst. If Rivera is going to survive owner Josh Harris’ first offseason, he’d better win soon.
What’s wrong with Jack Del Rio’s Defense?
It’s year four of Del Rio’s term as defensive coordinator. All summer, coaches said this defense had become second nature to the players, and a big season was expected.
Then Del Rio’s unit gave up 33, 37, 34, and 40 points over the last month. That’s not bad, that’s incompetent.
The NFL All-22 tape is even worse. Defensive backs have been beaten on double moves multiple times and safeties have been late to cover over the top.
To make matters worse, Del Rio has chosen to leave the rookie Forbes on an island to cover other teams’ best receivers. It begs the question.
Why for Heaven’s sake?
Perhaps the coaches know better and the plan will reveal itself in time. That time is getting short.
Is there ANY good news?
There is some. Chase Young is becoming the player the Commanders thought he could be. His overall PFF grade is comparable to his edge rusher counterpart Montez Sweat. Young is tied for third in the league in quarterback pressures with 27. His containment has been better and he’s a force on the defensive line.
Is it enough to earn him a new contract?
We shall see.