The Commanders and Ron Rivera were one of the surprises of the early season, starting off 2-0 with wins over the Cardinals and Broncos.
However, the early season honeymoon didn't last long, as the Commanders have won just two of the following ten games that have followed and are currently sitting at 4-8 on the year.
Yesterday, on the national stage provided by Thanksgiving celebrations in homes around the country, the Commanders were blown out by the Cowboys 45-10.
That loss, coupled with fielding a defense that ranks last in the NFL allowing nearly 30 points per game, Rivera has decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer has also been dismissed.
Both moves were announced by the team.
NFL insiders believe that Rivera will take over calling the defense moving forward.
Losers of three straight games, including a 31-19 loss to the Giants who had an undrafted third-string quarterback under center who still lives at home with his parents, Rivera was asked if there's any concern about his job security.
"No, I've told you before, I'm not worried about anything. All I'm going to do is do my job and see how things go."
"That's the only thing I can do."
Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport shared that new Commanders owner Josh Harris planned to evaluate Ron Rivera after the season, barring unforeseen circumstances.
However, if anything could change that stance it would be the type of loss where Dak Prescott and Cowboys teammates are on camera stuffing their face with celebratory turkey legs with six minutes left in the game, as that exact situation took place yesterday.
In the midst of his fourth season with the organization following nine seasons as the head coach of the Panthers, Rivera is 26-35 as the head coach of the Commanders and has failed to finish above .500 in any season in D.C.
After a 7-9 and then 7-10 season, Rivera led the Commanders to an 8-8 mark in 2022.
The year started off with high hopes, as Rivera was looking to build off the best season of his tenure by making a splash with the addition of Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to run the offense. The addition has mixed reviews as the Commanders currently rank middle-of-the-pack in the league in scoring at 20th with 20.5 points per game.
The Commanders will face the Dolphins December 3rd before their bye week, and end with games at the Rams and at the Jets before home games against the Niners and Cowboys.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update >> This statement from owner Josh Harris seems to imply Ron Rivera will finish out the season following the staff changes made on defense.