Commander’s offseason checklist: Ron Rivera’s priorities include OC and QB

The Washington Commanders’ offseason officially began on the evening of January 8 after an enthusiastic victory over the Dallas Cowboys. That performance, which marked a solid debut for rookie quarterback Sam Howell, ranked the team’s best all-around game of the season.

“I try to put things in perspective. …Are we in the playoffs or aren’t we?” “We are not.”

A record of 8-8-1 at the end is considered an improvement over a streak of seven-win seasons. A particular trip made the campaign feel like a setback.After going 7-5 going into Week 13 and winning six of seven games, Washington went 0-2-1 over the next three games. His 24-10 loss to the Browns in Week 17 left the Commanders out of the playoffs and frustration set in.

Team Captain McLoughlin sets high goals for himself and his Commander. Washington didn’t consider himself a strong contender for the NFC Championship, let alone the Super Bowl. The work worthy of such a dream was done anyway. Qualifying for the postseason means a chance to compete for the ultimate prize.

It was even more painful for McLoughlin to lose that shot after a wild-card appearance was primed. athletic The day after Washington beat Dallas, 26-6.

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“Unless we lost the season, we had the opportunity to make the playoffs,” McLoughlin continued. “We weren’t able to perform the way we wanted to. …I definitely felt that disappointment when I walked off that field yesterday.

The 2022 Pro Bowl selection felt different in that moment. It’s pride. The game impacted the Dallas playoffs, and Washington sat out several regulars after being eliminated. “They were playing for a meaningful game,” McLoughlin said.

We need pride. So are talents and plans. Head coach Ron Rivera said at the end-of-season press conference that he sees the team heading in the “right direction”, but Washington has yet to post a winning record in three seasons. Snyder is eyeing a possible sale of the franchise he’s owned since 1999, and there’s also a lot of uncertainty.

As players head to their respective homes and vacation locations, Rivera and his staff know who will call the ultimate shot and sign those checks, even if the footing is precarious. For now, let’s take a look at our offseason checklist.

In three seasons in Washington, Ron Rivera is 22-27-1. (Brad Mills/USA Today)

attack coordinator

Rivera’s first salvo saw a correction last week when offensive coordinator Scott Turner was fired after three seasons. Washington ranked him 23rd in points per game (18.9) after finishing 24th and 25th in the past two years.

Washington’s lack of an obvious starting quarterback is one of the challenges of finding a desirable replacement, but not the biggest one. Rivera also oversees the front office. His term may end after this season, or sooner, depending on the whims of the new owner. With the sale likely to take place by the subsequent owners meeting in March, it is unlikely that Snyder will make any changes. do you

This is an unattractive scenario for potential coordinators with other options. Dolphins quarterback coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevel declined interview requests from the Commanders and Jets on Wednesday, NFL Network reported. Jim Caldwell, former head coach of the Colts and Lions, reportedly told Washington that he is eyeing the head coaching opportunity.

The other names confirmed as contenders reflect the limitations of these choices, but also have the potential to provide much-needed help to Rivera and the offense. As such, Rivera is not seen as choosing a particular offensive system for the group armed with questions about playmakers and offensive lines.

Former Browns and Giants head coach Pat Schulmer was the first to be interviewed, followed Wednesday by Washington quarterback coach Ken Zampes. To do. Head his coach gives the coordinator good control over the unit. Schulmer and Zampes have coordinator experience.

Schulmer, 57, has won the OC title four times, most recently winning the 2021 Broncos. A protégé of the West Coast Offense, from 1999 he worked with Rivera under Andy Reid in Philadelphia until 2003. Schulmer led quarterback Donovan McNabb during his NFC championship run for the Eagles in 2005, and he was the team’s coordinator for the Vikings in 2018 as they reached the NFC Championship his game. With quarterback Case Keenum.

Choosing the 55-year-old Zampes means familiarity for Rivera and the players, as well as agreeing with the current plan. Zampes was the team’s quarterback coach for 13 years before he was OC for the Bengals from 2016 until 2017, helping develop Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton. Cincinnati dropped from 7th place before Zampes was hired to 24th in 2016 and was sacked for two games in the 2017 season.

Washington is scheduled to interview Falcons quarterback coach Charles London on Thursday, three days after the Titans interviewed a respected assistant in the same role. I moved from RB coaches when I arrived in Atlanta before, but I have no OC experience. After Rivera states his preference for run-first offense, he may want to know about the Falcons’ ground game success.

Eric Studsville, 55, duplicated Rivera in Chicago and was the Bears’ offensive quality coach from 1997-2000. Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos.

Other candidates should appear. As for the timetable, hiring before the Senior Bowl, when practice begins the week of January 29, seems like a worthy goal.

Finalize the quarterback plan

Howell remains the only quarterback from the team’s active roster after Washington released Carson Wentz. Eventually he will have one more arm or he will have two arms. Until then, I’m curious about what level of QB the team wants in the parlor game.

The double-threat quarterback threw a touchdown on his first pass attempt, scored one on the ground, and completed a beautiful 52-yard bomb to McLoughlin in an impressive debut.

Sam Howell takes it in! @Commander 20-6 lead.

📺: #DAL vs WAS at FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2tZrKMRiWu pic.twitter.com/Z7ZwLo Snaw

—NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023

“(Howell) played as practiced,” general manager Martin Mayhew said on January 10.

Four days later, Washington informed the OC candidates that the team was looking at Howell as a likely QB1 to join the offseason program, and admitted he had to win the job. It’s quite an uptick for a rookie with only one career start, and one that’s hardly happened since Rivera first planned to use Taylor Heinicke in the finale.

Whether this view holds up in the coming weeks suggests a few things. Add in an established expensive passer and this unknown veteran’s gig is outfitted.The same first-round quarterback selection, but a better option disappears before Washington’s 16th overall selection. It is highly likely that

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Your best bet is the spot starter/backup type. Jacoby he’s type enough to win the game, including Brissett and Dalton, but it’s unlikely Washington will prevent Howell from giving him all the rep he needs.

Heinicke went 12-11-1 in 24 regular season starts for Washington without opening the season as a starter. Both sides agree on the possibility of a return, but from Washington’s point of view it is a backup. After the season, Heinicke said he would be sober with it, but if Howell wasn’t ready, this would position him as a Week 1 starter.

“It’s good to have Sam as an option as we move forward,” Mayhew said. “We are currently discussing what other options might be.”

strength in the middle

Yes, this baseball analogy fits the Washington roster to-do list.

Using four centers in a row is not the way to get through a football season. That’s the world of Washington.

“Unfortunately, our position with the most injuries was center,” Rivera said. “It’s something… we have to see and understand how we can solidify that group. Hopefully we don’t have to go through that again.”

Starter Chase Roulier has suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries, as has highly effective backup Tyler Larsen. Laurier recorded his hit cap of $12.42 million during his training camp when he turned 30. Washington has saved him $4.32 million toward the cap for releases before June 1. Larsen, Wes Schweitzer, Nick his Martin are free agents.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne is an anchor in the middle of Washington’s defensive line who will use his first year of career (11 and 1/2 sacks) to deliver a massive pay rise that will likely exceed $20 million. I’m doing it. Freeing up cap space creates an opportunity to re-sign the 2018 first-round pick to a long-term extension. Or he could go with the franchise tag, which projects an annual salary of $18.9 million per over-the-cap.

Payne has a suitor. Based on months of sourcing and Payne’s words/tones on locker room cleaning day, he’s not about getting his hometown discount.

There is no ‘middle’ linebacker within 4-2-5 as a defensive base, but Cole Holcomb played the role of ‘Mike’ before a foot injury derailed his season in Week 7. I was. If free agency doesn’t come back, no obvious replacement exists.

The importance of safety come curls has become dizzyingly obvious this season. He missed five games and Washington won the Week 18 finale after losing his first four and being eliminated from the playoff race. Carl will be on his rookie deal for another year, but he’s eligible for an extension. Agreeing to the extension means locking down the most versatile member of the Buck 7 after 2023.

(Sam Howell top photo: Rob Kerr/Getty Images)