Commanders make major change to coaching staff following latest embarrassing loss

Along with Del Rio, defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer was also fired on Friday. It is presumed that Rivera will take over the defensive play-calling with Del Rio no longer on the staff.

Washington’s defense has been one of the NFL’s worst this season, giving up the most points in the league and the 29th most yards following Thursday’s defeat in Dallas. That extended the Commanders’ losing streak to three consecutive games, with the latter two being rock bottom for the unit.

On Sunday the Commanders allowed the Giants, one of the league’s worst offenses, led by third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito to put 31 points on the board against them in what might have been one of the most stunning performances of the season. Giving up 45 points just four days later did not do anything to save the jobs of two of the top defensive coaches on the staff.

While Rivera remains on the sidelines for now, it still seems inevitable that this season could be it for him in Washington. The Commanders have not had a winning season under his watch, and with one more loss this season will guarantee zero winning seasons in his first four years as head coach. New owner Josh Harris has said he wants a full season to evaluate Rivera’s performance, but the past four years speak for themselves.

Del Rio had been the defensive coordinator in Washington since the start of the 2020 season. That unit was excellent during the 2020 and 2022 seasons, finishing in the top 10 in those years. But the 2021 season and especially the 2023 season were complete 180 performances. That inconsistency, as well as the recent results, were too much for Washington’s front office to put up with.