WASHINGTON — As Ron Rivera prepares for the final game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, the lingering question of his future as Commanders head coach hangs over the training facility in Ashburn.
Heading into week 18 following a 27-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, with the abysmal record of 4-12, it's easy to recognize that the team failed to deliver on the promise it showed before the season began. All of the excitement of a new ownership group and a fresh, young quarterback has been drained from the building.
Everyone knows, from the fans to the players, that things are going to change after this season is over. No matter what the outcome of the game is against the Cowboys on Sunday, the team and the Commanders organization will look much different next year. Even Coach Rivera is aware that change is likely ahead.
When asked what his thoughts are with one game remaining in the season, he said, "Well, just go out and give it everything we got. That’s the truth of the matter. What happens after that – I got no control over. The only thing I’ve got control over is the next seven days. And that’s what I’m going to focus on, doing that."
The Cowboys are heading into the game ranked first in the division with a record of 11-5, and coming off a huge 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions. The last time the Commanders faced the Cowboys in November, the result was a 45-10 blowout win for Dallas.
"Thirty-six years in the league, I’ve seen things go one way or the other," Rivera said. "And so what I’m going to do is just do my job, be true to who I am, and give these players everything I’ve got until Sunday. And then we’ll see what happens."
Rivera entered his fourth season as Washington's head coach in 2023. In his first year at the helm in 2020, Rivera led the Commanders to their first division title since 2015.
During the 2020 season Rivera was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) located in a lymph node and detected from a self-care check. He continued to coach through his treatments, and on Jan. 28, 2021, he was declared cancer free. Rivera was selected as the NFC Coach of the Year following the 2020 season.
As Rivera looks back at his 4-year-tenure as head coach for the Commanders, he reflects on the impact he's made on the team and organization since being hired.
"[My legacy] is about coming in and trying to implement a culture," Rivera said. "And I think that’s what it is. This was about changing a culture.”