:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68646356/usa_today_13863721.0.jpg)
The 2020 season is over for the Washington Football Team which means it's time to start working for next season. Rivera said this year's team gets it, and they worked hard through a lot of adversity to win the division championship. They did things the right way and he appreciates that.
Two of the biggest decisions facing Ron Rivera and the team are at QB and GM. He will have a discussion with team owner Dan Snyder to let him know his plans. Alex Smith has to decide if he wants to try to come back next year, and the team has to decide if they need to move on from the feel good story of the year. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has already been released. That leaves the team with ERFA Kyle Allen who ended his season on IR after a bad ankle injury. RFA Taylor Heinicke set the world on fire in his 2nd NFL start, but how sustainable is that performance? UDFA Steven Montez has been on the practice squad all year and didn't 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 plenty of rumors and names like to this team due to past connections. Washington still has Kyle Smith who has been a huge improvement in recent years with his scouting and drafting.
The team gets it:
Rivera said the team will show up and play hard. That's tells everyone the team gets it and wants to do things the right way. He has 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 has to "debrief the season" before deciding what it wants to do with the quarterback situation. He plans to meet with Dan Snyder later tonight or tomorrow.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says QB is "one of the most important things that we need to get done and get established" going forward.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said he will talk to Dan Snyder sometime in the next day or so about his intent RE: possibly hiring a general manager and they will go forward from there.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021
GM situation:
Asked if he'd like to hire a GM this offseason, Ron Rivera said he'll speak with owner Dan Snyder sometime in the next day or so about his intent for possibly hiring one.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 10, 2021
No complacency:
How will Ron Rivera and the WFT make sure 2020 is the beginning of something more sustainable? Not getting complacent is a start. "If we come back and we're fat and lazy, we're going to get the crap kicked out of us" Rivera just said
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 10, 2021
Team captains:
Rivera said he wants the team's captains to help make sure the team is staying in shape.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Alex Smith:
Ron Rivera, when asked about Alex Smith: pic.twitter.com/1bIJ3XTS40
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera agrees with Alex Smith that his "calf strain" was more complicated than that. Gave kudos to Smith because he is one of the most unselfish players he has been around.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says that Alex Smith is "really the only person who knows" if he can continue playing going forward.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
COVID-19 season:
Rivera said maneuvering a COVID season could be limiting. One of the ways that was felt was when everyone could be in the same room at once, he was able to see the players' reaction. The obviously couldn't happen this season, which made things difficult.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
One of the things that needs to be highlighted was only two of Washington's players were placed on the COVID list, which is by far the best in the league. It's certainly not a competition, but that accomplishment is well worth being praised.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
No changes to coaching staff:
Ron Rivera very clear he expects no major changes to his coaching staff
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021
His health:
Ron Rivera says "I'm doing well, health wise" but says he has a big scan at end of January and that will tell a lot. Says he's anxious about it.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021
Washington fans:
This is great fan base, Rivera said. Historically, this is one of the best fan bases in the league. To have this fan base behind the team will be a big boost, but he, the coaches and players need to give them something to cheer about.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Rivera asks what it would have been like to have fans at FedEx Field? Mentions he would have liked to maybe hear some boos after refs 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 nice job, despite not having OTAs and minicamps. He had to navigate his first season as a full-time play-caller on the run, and he knows there will be continued growth from Turner.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Proud of this team:
Rivera said he will always remember how proud he is of this team. Other than the 2014 Panthers team, he will be the most fond of this group of players. Having veterans tell him it was the most fun they've had this season was special.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said he met with the players earlier, and there were multiple veterans who told him this was the most fun they've had in a season and how it was amazing that they were able to keep the focus on football.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Morgan Moses said last night that this was the most fun he's had
Beating the Steelers:
Ron Rivera highlights how amazing it was to see his young team rise to the occasion to beat the then undefeated Steelers on the road.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
There are several moments that made Rivera love this team, most notably when it beat the Steelers earlier this year. The euphoria and excitement after that win was great to see. It's moments like that that show how special the group is.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Locker room after last night's loss:
Even in a loss, Ron Rivera said it was "really cool" to see the players go around the locker room and dap each other up and hug each other and pat each other on the back.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
NFC East champions:
Ron Rivera on the NFC East: "Going forward, we'll have the target on our chest because we're division champs."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Ron Rivera said it was a "huge step" for @WashingtonNFL to win five of its final seven regular season games and make the playoffs.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
Team name:
Ron Rivera on potential new name: "Whatever we're going to call ourselves we're going to call ourselves and it will be Washington Football Team until then"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021
Improvements on defense:
Rivera thinks the defense's next step is filling out the final pieces for that group. There are some positions that he feels can be improved for next year.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021
Offseason:
Ron Rivera on going forward: "I really do look forward to just football. I'm excited about it."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021
He hopes that by OTAs and minicamps, they'll be able to see each other in person more, media included.