All that was left to do for the Washington Redskins was cross the T’s and dot the I’s on Ron Rivera’s contract.
The team did so on Tuesday morning, finalizing a deal with Rivera as the next head coach of the Redskins, making him the ninth coach since 2000. It took a little bit longer than expected, as many people thought that a deal would be struck on Monday afternoon. Nonetheless, Washington has a new head coach in town, looking to get back on his feet. Rivera was fired by the Carolina Panthers on December third after losing four-straight games and turning in a 5-7 record. He finished his tenure in Carolina with an overall regular-season record of 76-63-1.
It was reported on Sunday night that Rivera would travel to Washington on Monday to meet with the Redskins about the coaching vacancy, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning that the team was expected to name him as their head coach later that day. Now that move has been made official, a day later.
As the head coach in Washington, Rivera is expected to have a big say in who is hired as the team president and general manager of the Redskins, now that Bruce Allen has been fired by the team. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the group is hopeful that everyone can work together and get on the same page going forward.
It’s a new day in Washington, and the winds of change are ever-present. Enjoy the feeling of hope, Redskins fans. Brighter days are ahead.
