Washington Commanders' Ron Rivera Wants Players to 'Continue to Grow' After Tough Week

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has taken over the defensive play-calling duties after a tough week and hopes the team continues to grow for the remainder of the season.

The Washington Commanders aren't rock bottom, but it feels close after the 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 

Jack Del Rio and Brent Vieselmeyer lost their jobs, and now attention has turned to trying to steady the ship and play some good football. Easier said than done, but the Commanders have shown this season that when it all clicks, they can match it with the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles.

But consistency has alluded them, and now, with the team sitting at 4-8 and no light at the end of the tunnel, it's gut-check time in Washington. 

For head coach Ron Rivera, he wants to see growth from the team in the last part of the season.

“Well, just for the most part, for the team in general," Rivera said. "I mean, again, you want to see these guys continue to grow, continue to get better as football players and do the things that they can and they're capable of. And just really refine those things and see if we can create some opportunities to make some big things happen.”

Growth has been the one consistent message from Washington this season as Sam Howell has progressed nicely, so much so that the Commanders may have found their franchise quarterback for the future.

Howell currently has 3,3339 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on the season as his first year as starting quarterback has been up and down.

Then there's the offensive line. It resembled a turnstile at the start of the season as Howell was a lamb to the slaughter, but again, there has been some growth in that area.

After starting the season 2-0, the Commanders have struggled to find that consistency they crave. Now sitting at 4-8 and the chance to make the playoffs nearly done, attention will likely turn to, as Rivera says, growth from the playing group.

There are still five games to go in the season, which presents many opportunities for players to prove their worth before the year ends. You can bet that Rivera, along with the new ownership, will be watching with a keen eye.