Commanders' Ron Rivera 'And Everyone!' On Hot Seat?

Few NFL people are under more pressure this season than Washington Commanders' head coach Ron Rivera.

After finishing under .500 in each of his three seasons in Washington and going 22-27-1 in that span, Rivera's future could be on the line this season. There's even more pressure on the longtime head coach when you factor in new ownership, though the impact of Josh Harris taking over the franchise goes well beyond Rivera.

ESPN has the Commanders rated as 25th in its latest power rankings, one spot down from after the 2023 NFL Draft ... and said Rivera is on the hot seat, though he isn't the only one in Washington that's in that situation.

"The truth is, everyone in the front office is on the hot seat, as is team president Jason Wright," ESPN writes. "With new ownership and a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since 2005, no one should feel safe. But Rivera is the main football decision-maker -- he was handed the power from previous owner Dan Snyder and put together the front office. It's his fourth season in Washington; he won an NFC East title his first year, but the team has yet to finish with a winning record under him."

Rivera coaching in Washington beyond this season will rely heavily on quarterback Sam Howell. The second-year QB was named the team's starter on Friday. ... and performed well in Monday's 29-28 preseason victory over the Ravens.

If Howell and Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy can elevate an offense that has struggled since Rivera took over, that could get him off the hot seat and possibly lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

But if the same troubles that have plagued Rivera throughout his tenure persist - in part the sort of troubles that are the result of playing in an NFC East featuring three playoff teams in the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants - his seat will only get hotter as the season progresses.

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