Washington Commanders Part Ways with Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio Following Loss to Cowboys

In the aftermath of yet another disheartening defeat, Washington Commanders have decided to part ways with their defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio. The termination was executed on Friday, following a demoralizing 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.

Coach Ron Rivera wasted no time in relieving Del Rio of his duties, along with defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer, less than 28 hours after the aforementioned lopsided loss. Rivera, addressing reporters via video call, expressed the necessity of this decision, citing the team’s need to break free from their ongoing slump and perform up to their potential. He acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this move but firmly believed that a change was imperative for the team’s future success.

The decision to hold Del Rio and Vieselmeyer accountable for the team’s underperformance appears to be a strategic maneuver aimed at safeguarding Rivera’s position, despite the Commanders’ current record of 4-8. It is widely anticipated that the new ownership group led by Josh Harris will implement substantial changes in January, once the season concludes.

Nonetheless, with the situation in Dallas spiraling out of control and the team suffering their eighth loss in ten games since the season’s promising start, Rivera felt compelled to take action. He reached out to Harris early on Friday to ensure alignment with the decision, receiving the green light to proceed.

This season, the Commanders have struggled defensively, allowing 290 or more yards in 11 out of 12 games and conceding 30 or more points on seven occasions. Consequently, their defensive ranking has plummeted to 29th among the 32 NFL teams.

Coach Rivera has assumed the responsibility of calling defensive plays, allowing him to delegate more authority to the new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy. The vacant position of defensive backs coach will be filled by Cristian Garcia, replacing Vieselmeyer.

Del Rio’s departure marks the conclusion of his fourth season with Washington, having been appointed by Rivera in 2020. The two, both former linebackers, lacked any prior working relationship before joining forces in Washington.

While Del Rio enjoyed a lengthy tenure as a head coach with the Jaguars and Raiders, his time with Washington was marred by controversial comments he made during offseason workouts last year. His remarks, drawing comparisons between the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and the protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked controversy and public backlash.

On the field, the performance of Del Rio’s defensive unit fluctuated from season to season and game to game. In 2020, Washington’s defense ranked second in the NFL, dropped to 22nd in 2021, and briefly rebounded to third in 2022.

Though the Commanders displayed moments of defensive prowess earlier in the season, particularly before trading pass rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat, their lack of consistent results ultimately led to Del Rio and Vieselmeyer losing their positions.

Rivera emphasized that the decision was not a condemnation of Del Rio and Vieselmeyer but a recognition that, for reasons yet to be determined, the defensive performance did not meet expectations this season.

As the Commanders assess the situation, they have the luxury of extra rest before their next game against the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins on December 3.

However, the team faces challenges not only on defense but also offensively. In the second half of the game against the Cowboys, Washington’s offense failed to score, and quarterback Sam Howell threw his league-leading 13th interception.

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy now has the opportunity to showcase his abilities, having joined the team to establish himself outside the shadows of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. He has five remaining games to leave his mark.

While Rivera is likely to continue as coach for the rest of the season, his long-term job security remains uncertain. With only one year left on his contract, there is a possibility of ownership changes influencing his future, reminiscent of the situation with Carolina’s former owner David Tepper in 2019.

In terms of injuries, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and pass rusher James Smith-Williams missed the game against the Cowboys, adding to the team’s challenges.

Looking ahead, the Commanders’ next challenge is to contain Tua Tagovailoa and the high-scoring Miami Dolphins, who open as 7-point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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