Report reveals if Commanders will fire HC Ron Rivera before season ends

The Washington Commanders are coming off back-to-back blowout losses and fell to 4-9 in what's become a disappointing season for the franchise after Sunday's 45-15 defeat against the Miami Dolphins. 

Nevertheless, it seems that Washington head coach Ron Rivera will stay put through Week 18. 

"Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera will finish the season without being relieved of his duties," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on Monday morning. 

Rivera parted ways with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio following the 45-10 loss at the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but that move did little to bolster Washington ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Miami. According to ESPN stats, the Commanders enter their bye week allowing an NFL-worst 30.4 points per game this season. 

Rivera hinted last month he understood he wasn't guaranteed a job past the ongoing campaign. His club has now dropped four straight games and six of seven, and the ESPN Football Power Index shows that Washington essentially has no shot of making the playoffs. 

"A source with knowledge of new ownership’s current thinking reached out with the Rivera-is-safe message after Del Rio was fired," Florio added. "The same source confirmed that point after Sunday’s loss. The belief is that he has done enough to deserve to finish the year and have a full evaluation. Still, after 90 points allowed in two games, it’s hard to imagine that evaluation resulting in a decision to stay the course." 

The Commanders have gone 26-36-1 under Rivera since the start of the 2020 season.

It was previously thought that assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy could be elevated to the role of interim Washington head coach during the club's bye to give him a chance to possibly earn the job on a full-time basis amid rumors linking New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the Commanders. Such a move seemingly isn't on the table, and Rivera will now prepare Washington to play at the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 17. 

Los Angeles (6-6) faces the 9-3 Baltimore Ravens Sunday.