Ron Rivera posted at least seven wins in each of his first three seasons as the Washington Commanders‘ head coach and took the club to the playoffs once during that span. But Washington bottomed out with a 4-13 record in 2023, and the team’s new ownership group fired Rivera on Monday morning.
Who will the Commanders target as their next head coach? Let’s run through the top options, including a few candidates Washington already has an eye on.
Who Will Replace Ron Rivera as Commanders HC?
The Commanders aren’t wasting any time in their head coaching search, as they’ve already put in requests to interview five assistants around the league. We’ll highlight those candidates first before adding a few speculative options of our own.
Ben Johnson, OC, Detroit Lions
As the No. 1 candidate on the 2024 head coaching market, Ben Johnson figures to draw interview requests from every team with a vacancy. Washington plans to meet with Johnson, who’s spent the last three years as the Lions’ offensive play-caller and guided the unit to the league’s fifth-best offensive DVOA output.
Washington secured the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, giving the team a shot at a rookie QB prospect like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Johnson has quarterback developer bona fides after helping Jared Goff revitalize his career in Detroit and could shape the direction of the Commanders’ QB plans.
Aaron Glenn, DC, Detroit Lions
Johnson isn’t the only Detroit coordinator Washington has expressed interest in. The Commanders also plan to interview Lions DC Aaron Glenn. Neither play-caller can meet virtually with Washington until next week or in person until Jan. 22.
MORE: 2024 NFL Head Coaching Candidates
Detroit’s defense was up and down this season and ultimately finished in the bottom 10 in yards per play and points per drive allowed. But Glenn is well-regarded in the Lions’ locker room and is considered a true leader of men ready for a head coaching position.
Mike Macdonald, DC, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens DC Mike Macdonald will arguably be the top defensive mind available on the 2024 head coaching circuit after his unit ranked first in points and yards per play allowed and second in efficiency last season.
The Commanders want a chance to interview Macdonald and have put in a request to Baltimore. Washington, which ranked dead last in points per drive allowed (2.53), needs a complete refresh on the defensive side of the ball — and Macdonald is up to the task.
Anthony Weaver, Associate HC/DL, Baltimore Ravens
Washington doubled up on candidates from Baltimore and Detroit. In addition to Macdonald, the Commanders also want to speak with Ravens associate head coach/DL Anthony Weaver.
Weaver has never been a coordinator, but he earned enough of a role in Baltimore to add the associate head coach label to his title in 2022. After playing in the NFL from 2002-08, Weaver spent two seasons as a college coach before joining the Jets in 2012. He’s also spent time with the Bills, Browns, and Texans.
Raheem Morris, DC, Los Angeles Rams
Raheem Morris interviewed for two of the league’s five head coaching openings last offseason and figures to be busy again in 2023. Washington plans to meet with Morris, who will coordinate the Rams’ defense in a Wild Card matchup against the Lions on Sunday night.
Morris already has head coaching experience, has worked on both sides of the ball, and spent the last three seasons working under one of the NFL’s best head coaches in Sean McVay. His ties to McVay might also allow Morris to bring top-notch OC candidates wherever he ends up.
Dan Quinn, DC, Dallas Cowboys
Reports have already tied Washington to those five head coaching candidates. But who else could the Commanders consider?
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Cowboys DC Dan Quinn has been a significant presence in each of the last two hiring cycles but ultimately withdrew his name from searches in both instances. However, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reported this week that Quinn is thought to be “more receptive to the right offer” in 2023.
Quinn is the only candidate on this list who’s led a team to a Super Bowl appearance, and he’s transformed the Dallas defense into one of the more dominant units in the league.
Brian Flores, DC, Minnesota Vikings
No defense has changed more since 2022 than the Vikings’, and that was entirely due to Brian Flores, who blitzed more than any team in the NFL but also rushed just three at a higher clip than any club. He made the pieces work; Minnesota finished the season 14th in scoring defense despite a lackluster depth chart.
Flores’ management style drew criticism during his time as the Dolphins’ HC, but he may have softened over the past two years.
Drew Petzing, OC, Arizona Cardinals
Although Petzing is in his first season as an offensive play-caller, he’s already demonstrated enough creativity to get head-coaching looks in 2024. A former Browns QBs coach, Petzing worked through multiple quarterbacks in Arizona this season, smoothly managed Kyler Murray’s return, and helped turn second-year TE Trey McBride into an offensive force.
Washington’s ownership group might find it challenging to sell Petzing to its fanbase, given that he’d be coming from the 4-13 Cardinals. Perception is a problem, but Petzing’s work speaks for itself.
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