The 2020 season is over for the Washington Football Team, which means it’s time to start working for the next season. Rivera said that this year’s team understands, and they worked hard in the midst of many adversities to win the division championship. They did things the right way and he appreciates it.
Two of the biggest decisions faced by Ron Rivera and the team are in QB and GM. He will have a discussion with team owner Dan Snyder to inform him of his plans. Alex Smith has to decide whether he wants to try to come back next year, and the team has to decide whether to move on with the good story of the year. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has already been released. This leaves the ERFA team with Kyle Allen, who ended his season in the IR after an ankle injury. BRD Taylor Heinicke set the world on fire for his second start in the NFL, but how sustainable is that performance? UDFA Steven Montez has been on the training team all year and did not seem to be in a hurry to let him touch a football.
GM is another big decision that Rivera will discuss with Snyder. There have been many rumors and names like this team due to previous connections. Washington still has Kyle Smith, who has made a big improvement in recent years with his recognition and selection.
The team understands:
Rivera said the team will show up and play hard. This shows everyone that the team understands and wants to do things right. He appreciated that from his players this year.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says he really appreciated how hard his players worked and fought throughout the season.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
QB situation:
Ron Rivera said Washington needs to “take stock of the season” before deciding what to do with the defender’s situation. He plans to meet Dan Snyder tonight or tomorrow.
– Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says that QB is “one of the most important things we need to do and establish ourselves” going forward.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said he will speak to Dan Snyder about the next day about his intention to RE: possibly hire a general manager and they will move on from there.
– Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021
GM situation:
Asked if he would like to hire a GM this off-season, Ron Rivera said he will speak with owner Dan Snyder the next day or later about his intention to possibly hire one.
– Sam Fortier (@ Sam4TR) January 10, 2021
Without complacency:
How will Ron Rivera and the WFT ensure that 2020 is the start of something more sustainable? Not being complacent is a start. “If we come back and we are fat and lazy, we are going to take the crap out of us,” Rivera said.
– Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 10, 2021
Team captains:
Rivera said he wants team captains to help ensure the team is in shape.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Alex Smith:
Ron Rivera agrees with Alex Smith that his “calf strain” was more complicated than that. He gave praise to Smith because he is one of the most selfless players he has ever lived.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says that Alex Smith is “really the only person who knows” if he can continue playing in the attack.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
COVID-19 season:
Rivera said that maneuvering a season of COVID could be limiting. One of the things he felt was when everyone could be in the same room at the same time, he was able to see the reaction of the players. Obviously, it couldn’t happen this season, which made things difficult.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
One of the things that needs to be highlighted is that only two players from Washington were placed on the list of COVID, which is by far the best in the league. It is certainly not a competition, but this achievement is worth praising.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
No changes to the technical team:
Ron Rivera very clear that he does not expect major changes in his technical team
– JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021
His health:
Ron Rivera says “I’m fine, in terms of health”, but says he will have a major exam in late January and that will say a lot. He says he’s looking forward to it.
– Chris Russell aka The Rooster (@ Russellmania621) January 10, 2021
Washington fans:
This is a large fan base, said Rivera. Historically, this is one of the best fan bases in the league. Having this crowd behind the team will be a great incentive, but he, the coaches and the players need to give a reason to cheer.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Rivera asks what it would be like to have fans at FedEx Field? Mention that he would like to hear some boos after the referees missed some calls (hint)
– JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021
Scott Turner:
Scott Turner’s development was fun to watch, Rivera said. He did a good job, despite not having OTAs and minicampers. He had to navigate his first season as a full-time player in the race, and he knows that there will be continued growth for Turner.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Pride of this team:
Rivera said he will always remember his pride in this team. In addition to the 2014 Panthers team, he will be the most passionate about this group of players. Having veterans tell him it was the most fun they had this season was special.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said he met with the players earlier, and several veterans told him that this was the greatest fun they have ever had in one season and how amazing they were able to stay focused on football.
Morgan Moses said last night that it was the most fun thing he had
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Beating the Steelers:
Ron Rivera highlights how amazing it was to see his young team up to the occasion to beat the then unbeaten Steelers on the road.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Several moments made Rivera love this team, especially when he defeated the Steelers earlier this year. It was great to see the euphoria and excitement after the victory. It is moments like this that show how special the group is.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Locker room after the loss of the previous night:
Even in defeat, Ron Rivera said it was “really cool” to see players walking around the locker room and hugging and hugging and patting each other on the back.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
East NFC Champions:
Ron Rivera at NFC East: “From now on, we are going to have the target in our chest because we are division champions.”
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said it was a “big step” for @WashingtonNFL win five of his last seven games of the regular season and reach the playoffs.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Team name:
Ron Rivera on a new potential name: “Whatever we call each other, we will call each other and until then it will be the Washington Football Team”
– JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021
Defense improvements:
Rivera thinks that the next step in the defense is to fill in the final pieces of that group. There are some positions that he thinks can be improved in the next year.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Out of season:
Ron Rivera on the attack: “I’m really looking forward to just football. I’m excited about it.”
He hopes that by OTAs and minicamp, they can see each other more personally, including the media.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021