The Dallas Cowboys feasted on the Washington Commanders‘ defense as if it was turkey stuffing, etc. on Thanksgiving Day. And their Turkey Day onslaught culminated with DaRon Bland shattering a new defensive record: snatching his fifth interception return for a touchdown in the 45-10 Dallas romp.
But in the process, the Cowboys may have done something else involving Commanders head coach Ron Rivera: seal his fate.
Fans Call for Ron Rivera to be Fired
There are Commander fans who have had enough of the Rivera era and demand a change.
And that includes one fan hoping to see a longtime NFL assistant get his long overdue head coaching chance: Eric Bieniemy.
“Ron Rivera being fired is so overdue, they have to now right?” one fan asked on X (formerly known as Twitter) before making this suggestion: “With a long week ahead to prepare? Promote Bieniemy.”
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“Ron Rivera definitely outta there,” chimed another fan.
Another fan hopes to see a former playoff coach on the Washington staff lead the team moving forward.
“I say let Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio carry us to the highest pick possible and then let his a– go,” the fan said.
Other fans ripped Rivera for failing to change the culture for the Commanders and for helping orchestrate the 2023 trades involving Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears and Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers — the latter he helped draft second overall in the 2020 season.
Rivera Shares Strong Reaction About Job Security
Rivera got asked about his job status after enduring the 35-point embarrassment on the holiday.
Rivera, though, shared no concerns about his current job status.
“I’ve told you before, I’m not worried about anything,” Rivera said in his postgame press conference.
What is his plan moving forward following the Thanksgiving Day romp?
“All I’m going to do is do my job and see how things go. That’s the only thing I can do,” Rivera said.
Meanwhile, what will new owner Josh Harris do?
Turns out before the holiday beatdown, Harris had a plan to let things ride out according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
“When Commanders owner Josh Harris officially took over the franchise in July, he made no sweeping changes, choosing to take the year to thoroughly evaluate the team he had purchased. The planned patience includes the job status of coach Ron Rivera and the rest of those currently in charge in Washington, along with those in the front office. Sources say the goal has been to take the entire season,” Rapoport reported Thursday.
However, “Harris and the team’s brass still anticipate evaluating Rivera’s body of work after the final game of the regular season (if the Commanders don’t make the playoffs) as they enter a crucial offseason.”
Now, with 10 days until their next game against trending AFC contender the Miami Dolphins, the Commanders face a crucial decision on whether they want to allow Rivera to still coach this team. Now at 4-8, Rivera’s coaching run has cranked up the criticism among Commander fans.
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