Commanders part ways with DC Jack Del Rio after loss to Cowboys
Shortly after the Washington Commanders fell to a disappointing 45-10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Ron Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Rivera also let go of defensive gacks coach Brent Vieselmeyer, and he will take over as the play-caller for the defense for the rest of the season.
“If you don’t change things, can you expect things to change?” Rivera said via ESPN. “So that’s what I’m doing, to see if things will change.”
Washington’s once-encouraging season has quickly turned sideways after losing their last three straight games. The Commanders sit on the outside looking for a bid for a wildcard spot.
Want $250 to bet on the NFL?
There is a significant uphill battle ahead just to get into contention after falling to a 4-8 record. The Commanders’ defense has struggled through much of the 2023 season, ranking 29th in points allowed and yards allowed, which comes a year after raking seventh and third respectively.
“I mean it’s not an indictment of Jack and Brent because those guys worked their asses off trying to get things right and trying to do things for us,” Rivera said. “It’s just, for whatever reason, it wasn’t coming together. We haven’t played as well as we would like to have this season. We’re all culpable, believe me. We all are, coaches and players as a group.”
The Commanders will move forward hoping to salvage the rest of the season over the last five games. Washington is set to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 action.
