Report: Commanders expected to fire HC and could let go of GM

The Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio on Friday. Don't be surprised if the franchise issues more pink slips after another disappointing season.

CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathon Jones reported first-year owner Josh Harris is expected to fire head coach Ron Rivera and could dismiss general manager Martin Mayhew. However, Rivera is expected to finish the season before Harris lets him go.

Unsurprisingly, Harris wants to move on and enter rebuilding mode. Although Rivera has won NFL Coach of the Year twice, he's underperformed in Washington, posting a 26-34-1 record in four seasons. The Commanders are 4-8 this season and out of the playoff hunt.

The organization hired Mayhew in 2021. Despite the GM title, Rivera controls most personnel decisions. Jones added that if Harris fires the GM, he will change this structure, giving his replacement more control. He would also prefer a candidate who values data and analytics.
Spotrac projects the Commanders will have the second-most cap space in the league at $85.36M in 2024. They'll also have nine draft picks, including the currently-projected seventh overall pick, per Tankathon. Given the organization's resources, it should attract coveted GM and HC candidates. 

Washington has been one of the worst organizations in the league for nearly two decades and floundered under previous owner Dan Snyder. During Snyder's tenure from 1999-2022, it had a 164-220-2 regular-season record and went 2-6 in the playoffs.

To become a respectable franchise again, Harris — who bought the Commanders for a record-setting $6.05B in July — must make smart moves. Even though it's a difficult process, moving on from Mayhew and Rivera is probably the right choice.