Jack

Del Rio

Del Rio was on a short leash heading into Thursday’s prime time matchup. A blowout loss to the Bears in Week 5, plus two losses to a three-win Giants team, which included a Week 11 loss to Tommy DeVito, left little hope of Del Rio sticking out the season. The Thanksgiving Day beat down against the Cowboys was simply the final straw. In what is sure to be one of several coaching changes in Washington over the next few months, Del Rio’s firing is the first domino to fall, as head coach Ron Rivera will now take over defensive play calling duties. The Commanders ranked as a top-10 unit in several defensive categories last season, but are now allowing the most points per game (29.2) and the fourth most yards per game (377.7). They’ve become the “get right” defense for every opposing quarterback and fantasy manager this season. While we’d expect that to continue, whatever happens from here on out will take place with Rivera calling the plays. In addition to Del Rio, the Commanders also fired defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer.

With the Broncos returning to work Sunday, the Raiders will try to get the interview in on Saturday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday Del Rio would draw “significant interest” from the Raiders, and ESPN Raiders reporter Bill Williamson believes Del Rio is the “favorite” for the job. Del Rio has overseen a dominant defense the last three seasons in Denver, but had a mostly-rough go in eight and a half years as the Jaguars’ head coach.

Perhaps most notably, current Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie is believed to have not accompanied Davis on the trip. It may be an indication that Davis willing to hand over football operations in addition to head-coaching duties if Oakland can land Del Rio. McKenzie has an 11-37 record in three years as Raiders GM.

Many consider Del Rio the favorite for the Raiders’ gig, as he’s already met with owner Mark Davis, GM Reggie McKenzie and advisor John Madden. Prior to heading up the Broncos’ defense, Del Rio spent eight-plus seasons as head coach of the Jaguars. He went 68-71 with zero division titles and two playoff appearances. Del Rio’s visit with the Raiders is scheduled for Tuesday.

ESPN’s Bill Williamson believes Del Rio is the “favorite” to replace Dennis Allen, who was fired in October. It wouldn’t be an enthusiastically-received hire, but perhaps as good as the dysfunctional Raiders could do. Del Rio went 68-71 in eight and a half years as the Jaguars’ head man, making the playoffs twice. He’s done a splendid job as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator.

Raiders brass came to a decision Tuesday night. There were reports owner Mark Davis wanted Del Rio to be the new coach, while GM Reggie McKenzie wanted to ride it out with Tony Sparano for another season. Davis always wins in that situation. Del Rio is from Southern California and has previous HC experience.

Signed to a four-year extension in February, Del Rio looked as safe as any coach heading into the year, but a 6-10 season in which the offense and franchise quarterback Derek Carr markedly regressed was enough for ownership to make a change. That move is understandable if Del Rio was the one who let ex-OC Bill Musgrave walk in favor of Todd Downing, but it seems harsh if that decision came from over his head. That said, the defense has struggled each of Del Rio’s three seasons in charge despite talent up front and in the secondary, and he now has just one winning season in his last seven as a head coach. For Oakland to become a consistent contender, they likely needed a change. It looks like that change will come in the form of Jon Gruden.

Del Rio spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons out of the league after he was fired following a three-year run as the Raiders’ coach. He and Rivera have never coached together, and Rivers was reportedly eyeing Browns DC Steve Wilks first, but eventually moved to Del Rio. Rivera and Del Rio are a pair of strong voices and leaders to help try and pull the Redskins out of the current mess they’ve been in for years. It’s unclear if the Skins will employ a man or zone scheme.

Del Rio hasn’t been a defensive coordinator since his time with the Broncos in 2014 but did previously coach that particular unit to the league’s second-ranking in 2012. Having said that, his defense in each of his three seasons with the Raiders notably underperformed. Washington is the first team Del Rio has been linked to this offseason.

Del Rio was widely linked with the job, but he and new coach Zac Taylor reportedly decided it was not a great fit after a conversation this week. The Bengals have also been linked with ex-Packers DC Dom Capers, ex-Bears coach John Fox, and ex-49ers coach Mike Nolan.