Ron Rivera Discusses Washington Commanders' Victories and Significance of Army-Navy Game
Ron Rivera has a track record of guiding stellar quarterbacks, having once mentored NFL MVP Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. During his nine-year stint with the Panthers, Rivera claimed the Coach of the Year award twice (2013 and 2015).
In the present day, another dynamic quarterback is turning heads in the NFL with the Washington Commanders, specifically rookie Jayden Daniels. Prior to Week 15, Daniels had led the Commanders to an impressive 8-5 record, positioning them well for a playoff run, and has been named the favorite to claim the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Rivera, who last coached the Commanders during the 2023 season, acknowledges Washington's transformation from a 4-13 team the previous year into one of the NFL's biggest surprises.
"This is a quarterback-driven league," says Rivera. "They brought in possibly the top rookie quarterback of the year in Jayden Daniels. He's come in, he's been coached well."
The Commanders rank fourth in the NFL with 28.9 points per game, propelled by Daniels' electrifying play. The 23-year-old quarterback has racked up 21 touchdowns, throwing only six interceptions while boasting a 99.4 passer rating, a 69.6% completion rate, and 7.8 yards per pass attempt. Daniels tops all rookies in these passing categories.
Additionally, Daniels displays a robust 5.5 yards per rush attempt, amassing 590 rushing yards. His 5.5 yards per rush attempt ranks fifth in the NFL.
Rivera commends first-year offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for his efforts, recognizing the exceptional job he's done with Daniels, not to mention the team's veterans and new acquisitions.
"You gotta give kudos to the offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury," says Rivera. "He's done a great job with that, some of the veterans that were there when they got there, some of the veterans that they brought in free agency. This team has really come together. They've been very, very competitive. They'll probably be one of the Wild Card teams unless something crazy happens the next few weeks. But it's been really neat to watch their growth and development."
Rivera emphasizes that the Commanders struggled to find consistent success during his tenure due to a lack of finding a franchise quarterback. The team featured Alex Smith at the tail end of his career, followed by a series of mediocre starters in Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, and Sam Howell.
The Commanders managed just one playoff appearance during Rivera's tenure and went 26-40-1 (.396 winning percentage).
"We tried to find a quarterback," says Rivera. "It's hard to find that guy, it really is. If you don't have consistent play at that position, you're going to struggle for the most part."
Despite Rivera's unturned fortunes in Washington, his 13-season run as an NFL head coach is marked by outstanding success and respect.
Rivera's background in the military, as the son of a U.S. Army Warrant Officer, has significantly influenced his success and coaching style. Prior to Navy's upset of No. 22-ranked Army, Rivera spoke about his partnership with USAA—an armed forces game sponsor—and the importance of giving back to troops who serve our country.
"I grew up in a military family," explains Rivera. "I inherited the USAA membership from my dad. Dad started in 1965 as a member and I became a member in 1986. A big part about growing up in a military family is that I've come and grown to understand the importance of giving back to servicemen and women who support our country and do things that most of us don't."
Rivera shares that his father was in the United States Army for 32 years and that the family relocated to various bases, even moving overseas, before settling in Fort Ord, California. The discipline and accountability that the military instills in its units remain central to Rivera's coaching philosophy.
"We began to appreciate what military life was like living on a base, seeing how teamwork is truly epitomized in the military," says Rivera. "It was a great learning experience for me personally."
The Army-Navy game, which celebrated its 125th edition, holds deep meaning for Rivera.
"This game is about pride and boasting rights," says Rivera. "This is about demonstrating which team is superior. The Commander's Cup is involved, with all the service academies playing against each other, and the team with the best record takes the cup. That's also at stake. This game has enormous significance for military students, and for any real football fan, it's worth paying attention to each year."
- Rivera mentions the importance of having a solid quarterback in the NFL, highlighting the Commanders' acquisition of rookie Jayden Daniels.
- Dan Quinn, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, is currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, supporting Daniels and the team's impressive offensive performance.
- Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Commanders, has been praised by Rivera for his work with Daniels and the team's overall success, leading many to speculate that Kingsbury could be a contender for the Coach of the Year award.
- In a nod to his military background, Rivera emphasizes the importance of giving back to troops and expresses support for USAA, an organization that provides services to members of the military and their families.
