Ron Rivera is open to working as a defensive coordinator in the NFL next season after he was fired by the Washington Commanders, and he may have an opportunity to join one of his former team’s division rivals.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Sunday that the Dallas Cowboys would have interest in Rivera for their defensive coordinator position if Dan Quinn left for another job. Quinn, ironically, was hired on Thursday to replace Rivera as head coach in Washington.
Once the Quinn news broke, reports quickly surfaced that Rivera is a candidate to become defensive coordinator in Dallas.
With Quinn coming to Washington, Ron Rivera might be in play for the Cowboys DC job.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 1, 2024
Rivera, 62, interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles for their DC job, but Philly went with Vic Fangio instead.
Rivera’s last defensive coordinator job was with the then-San Diego Chargers in 2010. The team led the NFL in total defense that season, which helped Rivera generate more interest as a head coach candidate. He was then hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Rivera coached the Panthers for eight-plus seasons before coaching Washington for four.
