The Washington Commanders have a 2-3 record after embarrassingly dropping its third straight game to the hapless Chicago Bears last Thursday. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera thwarted the echoes from fans for him to make a change to his coaching staff notably with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. However, Rivera is putting the onus on his players.
As the players convene for practices, it was noticeable that a new mantra on the door outside of the team’s locker room that read “DO YOUR JOB”
“Because I think, looking at the tape, watching the game, our previous five games, looking at some of the stuff that I read, the numbers, obviously to me, there’s a sense and a feel that we’re not doing the things that we need to do,” Rivera said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
The sentiment could be directed toward the struggling defense or the offensive line. Washington’s defense has taken several steps back compared to a year ago. In 2022, the Commanders’ defense ranked third in yards allowed per game, fourth in passing yards allowed per game, first in third down conversions percentage, and seventh in scoring defense.
This season, the defense is nowhere near as impressive. The Commanders are 25th in yards allowed per game, 25th against the run, and 21st against the pass, and the 32.0 points allowed per game is only better than the historically bad Denver Broncos defense.
Meanwhile, no one should absolve the offense from the blame. While there have been flashes, Sam Howell is the most-sacked quarterback in the league. The run game has been inconsistent. Star players like wide receiver Terry McLaurin aren’t getting the football. And the receivers group is struggling with getting separation.
Still, while there is enough blame to go around the players, fans and observers would say Rivera needs to heed his own advice from the sign.
With the Commanders trailing 27-3 at halftime to the previously winless Bears, Rivera admitted to the Thursday Night Football broadcast he didn’t speak to the team in between halves.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen confirmed during his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan’s The Sports Junkies that Del Rio and defensive leaders Chase Young and Jeremy Reaves, who got injured in the first quarter of the game, spoke to the team instead.
Ron Rivera going the old Bill Belichick route
So now, Rivera wants to talk to the team through a sign? He did so using Bill Belichick’s old mantra that the New England Patriots coach floated around during Tom Brady’s heydays.
News of the sign opened a floodgate of criticism on social media. One X user commented, “Well, they’re all small words. There is a chance [Del Rio] may read it.”
Another user said, “Besides, it worked for the Patriots, and I’ve been outta ideas since 2013.”
All that truly matters is how the players in the locker room are receptive to the sign. But, this appears to be a last-ditch effort from a head coach on the hot seat who may know the ship is sinking.
In Year 4 as Commanders head coach, Rivera understood he must win games this year after three subpar years prior. He must prove himself to the new ownership group.
The Commanders entered last week after a tough overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending NFC East and NFC champions. Washington had a favorable stretch of games ahead of them. There was a lot of optimism surrounding the team.
But all that got washed away when the Commanders were run off its home field by a Bears team that had lost 14 straight games prior by the score of 40-20.
Now, the focus is on getting on track. Sunday’s opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, look much better after their win last week over the Houston Texans. The loss to the Bears left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.
On Friday, Ron Rivera said he is considering looking into the play-calling on defense, giving some players liberties with their technique or making them play specific techniques, per Jhabvala.
Now that the mantra getting preached is a simple, “DO YOUR JOB!”
Actions speak louder than words. How well the Commanders play against the Falcons will tell how accepted the new locker room sign was within the team.
