Washington Commanders fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio: Shake up defense

Washington Commanders fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer after Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders have taken a significant step in revamping their defense by parting ways with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer after their disappointing 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Head coach Ron Rivera made the announcement on Friday morning and is set to take over the defensive play-calling duties, as reported by NFL Media.

The Commanders have been struggling on the defensive side throughout the season, currently ranking 29th in yards allowed and dead last in passing touchdowns allowed. This was glaringly evident in their recent defeat to the Cowboys, where Dak Prescott managed to complete 22 of 32 passes for 331 yards and four touchdowns without facing a single sack.

The team's defensive performance has been inconsistent since Del Rio's first season in Washington, during which they excelled and ranked in the top five in most defensive categories. However, they have since regressed and consistently placed in the bottom-five to bottom-third in the league.

Following the trade of Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the deadline, the Commanders have struggled to generate significant pressure in recent weeks, placing an even greater burden on their overmatched defensive backfield. It became apparent that the coordinator and position coach were not meeting expectations.

Rivera expressed gratitude towards Del Rio and Vieselmeyer for their contributions to the team but emphasized the need for necessary changes. He stated, "We appreciate Jack and Brent for all they've done for our organization, but we have to make decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our football team moving forward."

The decision to dismiss Del Rio and Vieselmeyer signifies the Commanders' dissatisfaction with their current performance and their willingness to make changes to enhance their defense. It also raises speculation about the future of the coaching staff and front office, with new owner Josh Harris and his partners potentially seeking an overhaul in January.

In conclusion, it is evident that the Commanders have a significant amount of work ahead of them to improve their defensive performance. The decision to remove Del Rio and Vieselmeyer may only be the beginning of a broader restructuring within the organization.