Jack Del Rio is the Washington Redskins defensive coordinator. He will join new head coach Ron Rivera’s staff. And with his addition will come change with the philosophy and scheme of the Redskins defense.
According to The Washington Post’s Les Carpenter, Del Rio has confirmed the Redskins will switch to a 4-3 base scheme.
The news will excite many Redskins fans in an offseason that has brought about a lot of welcomed change in the organization.
Del Rio is certainly the biggest hire at defensive coordinator in recent years. He served as defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers (2002) and Denver Broncos (2012-14) throughout his coaching career.
In the combined four seasons he spent as a defensive coordinator, Del Rio’s defenses have finished second or third in three of those seasons.
He also was head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-2011) and Oakland Raiders (2015-17).
The Redskins have worked under a 3-4 base scheme throughout the Bruce Allen era starting with then-head coach Mike Shanahan in 2010. It was a controversial decision given the personnel the team had.
For a decade the Redskins defensive players seemed under-utilized. Whether it was Jim Haslett, Joe Barry or Greg Manusky, neither were able to get the most out of their personnel.
Washington’s best finish in yards allowed was 15th in 2018 under Manusky. But they’ve finished 27th in two of the last three seasons. Recently a report suggested that many within the organization deemed Manusky’s scheme as “too complex.”
A Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted the misuse of outside linebackers/pass rushers, as Montez Sweat dropped back into coverage on 12 snaps. Sweat had dropped back in 12 snaps for his entire last year in college at Mississippi State.
Yes, the Redskins were often in nickel formation more than the 3-4 base, but with a 4-3 scheme with the right personnel, there is a lot a defensive coordinator can do against run and pass formations.
Del Rio will have a great deal of young talent to build his defense around, starting with their impressive interior defensive line. While Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne get a lot of press, Washington also has Matt Ioannidis — the most consistent of the trio.
Washington holds the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. They are expected to draft standout EDGE Chase Young from Ohio State. Young added with Sweat, Ryan Anderson and potentially a returning Ryan Kerrigan could give Del Rio a tremendous front rotation.
Then there is safety Landon Collins, cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar and Jimmy Moreland as well as young linebackers Cole Holcomb, Shaun Dion Hamilton and possibly Rueben Foster. The upside and potential of the Redskins defense is certainly looking up.
