Jack Del Rio has been fired as the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator, effective Friday, following
another humbling loss.
Coach Ron Rivera fired Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer less than 28 hours after losing 45-10 to
the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
“This was probably the thing that I felt was necessary to do to hopefully get out of this rut and get to a point where
we can play to our abilities,” Rivera said during a video chat with reporters. “The scenario is sad, as are the
circumstances. But I felt that we needed to make a change going forward.”
The decision to make Del Rio and Vieselmeyer scapegoats for the season’s struggles appears to assure Rivera’s job is
not jeopardized, despite the team’s 4-8 record. The new ownership group led by Josh Harris is anticipated to make
big changes when the season ends in January.
Still, something had to give after Rivera stated that things “snowballed” again at Dallas, resulting in an eighth loss in
ten games since beginning with back-to-back victories. He called Harris early Friday to ensure his boss was on board
with the move and received OK.
This season, the Commanders have allowed 290 or more yards in 11 of their 12 games, as well as 30 or more points
seven times. Their defense ranks 29th out of 32 teams.
“The blame, we’re all culpable: players and coaches,” Rivera stated in a statement. “We have to be better.”
Rivera will take over defensive play-calling duties, letting him to delegate even more to new offensive coordinator
Eric Bieniemy. Cristian Garcia will take over as defensive backs coach from Vieselmeyer.
Del Rio was already 12 games into his fourth season with Washington when Rivera hired him in 2020. Before this,
the two former linebackers had never worked together.
Del Rio, a head coach for the Jaguars and Raiders for 12 seasons, had a stint with Washington that was marred by a
comment he made during offseason workouts last year comparing the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6,
2021, to the protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s police shooting in Minneapolis.
“People’s livelihoods are being destroyed, and businesses are being burned down, no problem,” Del Rio stated in
June 2022. “And then we have a scuffle at the Capitol, nothing burns down, and we’re going to make it a big deal. “I
just think there are two standards.”
On the field, his team was erratic from year to year and game to game. Washington’s defense finished second in the
NFL in 2020, 22nd in 2021, and third in 2022.
The Commanders had their defensive moments this season, primarily before trading pass rushers Chase Young and
Montez Sweat. However, the lack of results eventually cost Del Rio and Vieselmeyer their positions.
