Ron Rivera received a rapturous welcome when he was hired as the new head coach of the then-Washington Redskins in 2020. After all, Rivera was replacing former general manager and team president Bruce Allen as the top football decision-maker within the organization.
Former owner Daniel Snyder gave Rivera complete authority to organize the team, meaning he was essentially the coach and general manager. Sometimes, if Allen wasn’t there, fans just didn’t care. Things started to click when Rivera selected Ohio State star and DMV native Chase Young with the No. 2 overall pick. In 2020, Washington surprisingly won the NFC East despite a losing record, and Young was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
That would be the highlight of Rivera’s tenure in Washington, which ended after multiple undrafted picks, free agent signings and a string of winless seasons before he was fired in January.
Rivera spent some time as an analyst for ESPN this offseason and was a guest on Adam Schefter’s podcast this week to talk about his former team’s decision to select Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rivera said he would have made the same pick if he were still in Washington.
Rivera also spoke about other things, including how he preferred Justin Herbert over Young when drafting him in 2020. It’s no wonder Washington fans were not impressed with Rivera’s comments. Let’s take a look at some of the X’s reactions.
Remind us that Rivera refused
Justin Herbert (top 10 QB, maybe top 5)
Kyle Hamilton (Top 10 Safety)
Christian Darrisaw (great LT, contract extension)
Christian Gonzalez (promising young CB)
And instead I got this:
Chase Young (departed)
Jahan Dotson (Solid WR2… https://t.co/VaV57GaGB2 pic.twitter.com/RnkkvLhtdj
— Tek (@CookedByTek) July 23, 2024
Who would believe this? This is the same guy who drafted Davis over Darrisaw, signed Bieniemy as his OC, and never thought the team would be out of the playoff picture after the 2022 game 🤦♂️ https://t.co/mQG07maD3m
— Mark Tiller (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) July 23, 2024
Another great move from Ron Rivera.
— HTTRiggo (@HttRiggo) July 23, 2024
Ron Rivera was a war criminal
— Charlie 🇹🇹🇵🇸 (@washedchar) July 23, 2024
The day before the first training camp in four years without Ron Rivera at the helm (it feels like his tenure was more like a decade), I saw Darrisaw sign a contract extension and thought I’d see who has the video/photo/meme that best represents Ron Rivera’s time in DC.
Here’s mine… pic.twitter.com/fGt5pws9T1
— Mark Tiller (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) July 23, 2024
I’m still pissed at Ron Rivera for wasting a pick on Jamin Davis when a franchise LT was right there in Darrisaw. https://t.co/vgL3XPTSNV
— Zach (@DCzWall) July 23, 2024
Who cares what Ron Rivera has to say now?
— Chu (@achew77) July 23, 2024
I appreciate Ron Rivera and respect him as a coach, but I would never want to hear from him again about his time in Washington.
— Eat Sleep Hail (@EatSleepHail) July 23, 2024
At least take a year or two off the grid like Gruden did. We need space.
— Jay VA (@dc_dummies) July 23, 2024
Did Ron Rivera mention he was watching the 2024 QB class during the regular season???????????????
— Marty 🕊 (@theMartyBway) July 23, 2024
If you need to see “Civil War” trending and Ron Rivera popping up in your feed all the time, it’s time to quit this cesspool of an app.
Everybody make her feel better
—R.J. pic.twitter.com/CVfWO7AU6p
— Richmond John 🦩 (@TheRichmondJohn) July 23, 2024
Ron Rivera continues to play the “what if” game after leaving the Commanders. The latest rumors suggest that if Rivera had stayed in Washington,
— Picks & Vidz (@Picksvidz) July 23, 2024
This is a great idea and a great example of how much we should not get attached to Ron Rivera’s selections.
— Rant Staniel Burgundy (@ImRantBurgundy) July 23, 2024