Incremental change is what the Washington Redskins needed after a fourth-consecutive season without a playoff berth, and incremental change is what they got.
Bruce Allen is gone. Ron Rivera is in. Larry Hess is gone. Ryan Vermillion and Larry Wilk are in. Eric Schaffer is gone. Doug Williams is in a new role. Any which way you look at it, the power dynamic in Washington has changed, and according to NBC Sports Washington, this is now how it looks.
Dan Snyder — Team Owner
Of course, as the owner of the team, Snyder remains at the top of the power pyramid. Though he may endlessly say that head coach Ron Rivera is the only voice that matters in the organization, it is still his final stamp of approval that is needed on every major decision that happens. As long as Snyder is the owner of the team, it will be his word that goes.
Ron Rivera — Head Coach
When Snyder introduced Rivera as the head coach of the Redskins, he noted that the team is transitioning into a ‘One Voice’ type of model where the coach is the decision-maker that matters. All personnel decisions go through the HC, and what Rivera says goes.
Of course, Snyder technically has the power to overrule Rivera on what he chooses, but it’s been made clear that Rivera is the man in charge in Washington, and his vision for the team is what will be realized during his tenure with the Redskins.
Scott Turner — Offensive Coordinator
A coaching centric approach is what Snyder preached when introducing Rivera, so it makes sense that both the offensive and defensive coordinators are near the top of the pyramid, directly under Rivera.
Turner was brought into Washington as a young offensive mind that has some experience dealing with mobile quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Teddy Bridgewater, and his work with Dwayne Haskins is highly anticipated.
Jack Del Rio — Defensive Coordinator
Del Rio is quite possibly the most respected DC that the Redskins have had in quite some time, and it makes complete sense that his voice holds a lot of weight in the Redskins pyramid of power. He will be tasked with taking a highly-talented defense into the stratosphere of success alongside Rivera.
Kyle Smith — VP of Player Personnel
With Schaffer gone, Smith is now the top football executive for the Redskins now, and he alone has the main say on roster decisions. Of course, he still reports to Rivera, but Smith’s voice should hold a lot of weight in the organization.
The team is still yet to hire a general manager, which they are expected to do after the 2020 NFL Draft, but until then, Smith is the No. 1 guy in the front office, and that could continue if he delivers another strong draft this year.
Doug Williams — Senior VP of Player Development
Williams used to have a major say in player personnel and roster moves, but he will now be moved to focus mainly on player development going forward, while he will report directly to Rivera.
One of Williams’ main jobs will be to help make players comfortable in the league and as a part of the organization.
Rob Rogers — Senior VP of Football Administration
Rogers will now likely be handing many of the duties that were left behind by Schaffer, as he was one of the main orchestrators of contract negotiations and salary cap decisions during his 25 years with the Carolina Panthers.
Rogers has a long relationship of working with Rivera in Carolina.
Ryan Vermillion — Head Athletic Trainer
Vermillion may be lower on the totem pole as far as power goes, but his role in the Redskins organization may be one of the most important when it comes to future success. After Larry Hess was forced out following 17 years with Washington, Vermillion’s No. 1 job is to re-establish trust with the players (and Trent Williams) and focus on getting the team healthy going forward.
