Ron Rivera has agreed to a five-year deal to become the head coach of the Washington Redskins, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder moved quickly to swoop in to hire Rivera, his top choice. The Redskins were the first team to fire their head, firing Jay Gruden after a 0-5 start to their season. Now, they are first team to hire a new head coach this season after a 3-13 finish and securing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Rivera coached nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, leading them to three NFC South division titles, an NFC championship, and Super Bowl 50 appearance. However, after struggles over the past two seasons in large due to injuries to quarterback Cam Newton, Rivera was fired after a Week 13 loss to the Redskins.
Rivera joins a Redskins franchise that is in the process of an overhaul and rebuild. He also joins a team with a nucleus that features a young quarterback in Dwayne Haskins, a stud-in-the-making wide receiver in Terry McLaurin and a stud trio on the defensive line in Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis.
With their head coach in place, the Redskins can now focus on reshaping their front office. Washington fired team president Bruce Allen after 10 seasons with the organization.
