James Bradberry adds to a growing list of players current and former Carolina Panthers’ players that have raved about Ron Rivera since his departure from there. The talented cornerback joins players such Gerald McCoy, Luke Kuechly, Christian McCaffrey, Mario Addison and Greg Olsen among others to speak highly of Rivera.
Even current Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman spoke highly shortly after Rivera was named the Redskins head coach in January.
Bradberry’s comments, however, could add intrigue as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this March after four seasons in Carolina.
Bradberry, 26, appeared on the Redskins Talk podcast during Super Bowl week in Miami and expressed his excitement about the possibility of reuniting with Rivera in Washington.
“I would love to play for coach Rivera again,” Bradberry said. “He’s a great man and a great coach.
“He coached me for four years. I didn’t realize how much he meant to us until that day [he got fired],” he continued. “Just how he spoke to us as men. He wasn’t overly aggressive unless he needed to be. He put his foot down when he needed to be.”
Bradberry did explain his “dream scenario” would be to re-sign with the Panthers. However, free agency is unpredictable at times, and if Carolina doesn’t jump on the opportunity the Redskins could be interested given their need to upgrade at cornerback.
Rivera added several former Panthers’ assistants to his coaching staff with the Redskins. Additionally, former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is reportedly set to visit the Redskins sometime in the week.
Those instances have sparked intrigue around any available players from Carolina to join Rivera’s exodus to Washington.
Rivera will look to alter the Redskins’ culture for the better and it’s more to conceivable for him to grab personnel and coaches he is more familiar with to help install a winning culture.
Bradberry replaced Norman in Carolina, when Norman signed with the Redskins in 2016. With speculation surfacing around Norman’s future with the Redskins, could Rivera turn to a familiar face to once again replace Norman?
