Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Jack Del Rio Fired But Uncertainty Remains

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November 29, 2023

by David Earl

Even When Things Go Right

So, Washington controlled the clock, moved the ball fairly well, and produced minimal penalty yardage yet couldn’t make the game competitive. To be fair, most didn’t see a win and probably saw a double-digit loss, but considering the time of possession Washington had, the 35-point loss was just embarrassing. To no one’s surprise though, this game was a microcosm of a Jack Del Rio run defense during his tenure in Washington. This season, Washington’s defense ranks 31st in average depth of target at 9.0, and Dak Prescott took full advantage. Prescott averaged 10.3 yards per pass attempt while gaining an average of 15 yards per completion. With the defense registering zero sacks and only 4 quarterback hits, he went unpressured, and completed 68.8% of his passes to finish with a 142.1 rating.

Dallas converted 60% of their 3rd down attempts for first downs while allowing a total of 15 passing first downs. Washington’s defense is middle of the pack in third down conversions, with a 39.5% rate allowed this season, but they have given up the 2nd most first downs at 236. Much like the season as a whole, Washington was unable to make any critical stops and allowed plays of 20 yards or more seven times. As a result, Jack Del Rio was relieved of his duties, which many see as long overdue. Just how bad was his defense over the years?

2020 Season:

  • Ranked 29th points allowed (329)
  • Ranked 2nd yards allowed per play (4.85)
  • Ranked 24th in average depth per target (8.3)
  • Allowed second-fewest yards after catch (1546)
  • Ranked 11th in rushing per attempt against (4.2)
  • Ranked 11th for total quarterback pressures (156)

2021 Season

  • Ranked 25th points allowed (434)
  • Ranked 27th yards allowed per play (5.74)
  • Ranked 30th in average depth per target (8.6)
  • Ranked 7th in yards after catch (1805)
  • Ranked 9th in rushing per attempt against (4.1)
  • Ranked 16th for total quarterback pressures (161)

2022 Season:

  • Ranked 26th points allowed (343)
  • Ranked 11th yards allowed per play (5.19)
  • Ranked 26th in average depth per target (8.4)
  • Allowed least yards after catch (1535)
  • Ranked 16th in rushing per attempt against (4.4)
  • Ranked 17th for total quarterback pressures (137)

2023 Season through week 12

  • Allowed the most points (350)
  • Ranked 30th yards allowed per play (5.94)
  • Ranked 31st in average depth per target (9.0)
  • Ranked 26th in yards after catch (1346)
  • Ranked 26th in rushing per attempt against (4.4)
  • Ranked 11th for total quarterback pressures (96)

Stat Note: Stats from stathead.com and total quarterback pressure account for all sacks, hurries, and knockdowns.

Aside from the Nick Adams of the world, who clearly is ignorant of the game of football, the majority of fans realize just how terrible Del Rio’s defense has been. Even his best season, 2020, was marred with uncertainty as they faced the easiest schedule of the NFL, not to mention all the backup quarterbacks they faced. Regardless, this defense has ranked no better than 25th in points allowed and 24th in average depth per passing target the last 4 seasons. As a result, they have not only continued to struggle to contain explosive plays, but many have resulted in back-breaking scores. Thus far, after 12 games, this defense is on pace to give up the most yards after catch under Del Rio’s tenure, 1,906. Prior to this season, the defense was around the middle of the pack in yards per rushing attempt but now dipped to the bottom third of the league, at 26th. These are just a few important numbers to compare that clearly justify his firing.

As far as the issues that sunk this team defensively, such as poor linebacker play plus no game-changing secondary player, freelancing and miscommunication were at the top. That is pure and simple coaching. While it’s true players must execute the scheme, if the coach doesn’t maintain full authority and player accountability nothing will change, as we witnessed over the years. There is also the possibility the game has passed Del Rio’s scheme and philosophy. His tendency to rely on a 4 man rush to bring primary pressure worked to a degree, but the lack of a top linebacker for blitzes and pass coverage prevented the defensive line from controlling these games. Rivera is responsible for player acquisitions, but Jack Del Rio needs to properly adjust for any deficiencies. Compound that with a secondary that is unable to consistently impact the passing game and you have a scheme by Del Rio that just did not work. Maybe it’s not the actual scheme that is wrong but the lack of adjustments to his scheme ultimately cost him the job.

 

Moving Forward

Now Ron Rivera felt a change was necessary! Before I hit on that comment, who is Ron Rivera the defensive coordinator? After assuming the job in 2004 for the Chicago Bears, he schemed a defensive game plan in which the Bears defense develop into one of the top units in the league by the 2006 season. In that year they ranked 9th in completion percentage against (56.78%) while producing an over 68.7 passer rating. They were tough against the run ranking 12th in yards per attempt, at 4.0, 7th in first down runs per game at 5.5, and were one of the toughest defenses in allowing rushing touchdowns (ranked 6th).

As far as total defensive stats, the Bears ranked 9th in total yards against per game and allowed an average of 15.3 points per game. This same defense held Peyton Manning to 247 yards and 1 touchdown, with one interception, and forced a fumble from the quarterback. That season Manning had a quarterback rating of 101, yet the Bears defense held him to a rating of 81.8 in Super Bowl XLI. Therefore, the pedigree to call a defensive game is certainly there, but that was nearly 20 years ago and that Bears defense had far more talent.

Rivera’s ability to call the defense is evident, but the idea that making a change now was the right thing to do is a day late and a dollar short. Since late last season and up until the Dallas disaster Rivera’s common theme was player accountability and “Do your job!” The idea of pressing him that maybe coaching was an issue seemed like a foreign concept and a suggestion he seemed to take personally at times. Even after the Dallas game, I am not even convinced Ron willingly wanted to do this – call it pride or stubbornness. Josh Harris‘ statement involving this decision was more telling than anything Rivera spoke about after Del Rio’s release. Two things are clear to me here: 1) Harris gave Rivera the respect to make this move, as shown in his statement, which read, “I spoke to Coach Rivera and he recommended the team make a change at defensive coordinator…” and 2) Harris was clearly involved in this decision stating, “I feel exactly how our fans feel today: disappointed and frustrated.”

While many of us feel Harris should just outright fire Rivera, as I see it, his approach is rooted in a vision that allows Rivera to finish out the year with dignity. Whether you feel Rivera deserves this or not, it’s a good look for the new ownership group, as it states the Snyder era of crude ownership decisions is over. It will go a long way towards drawing interest from top general managers and head coaching candidates.

 

Conclusion

Let’s be very clear: Jack Del Rio was never the sole problem here. Eric Bieniemy has not been exactly stellar as an offensive coordinator, either. Some still hold on to the fact he is still finding this offense’s identity but, at this point of the season, it is rather clear.  Bieniemy is passing the ball at a 67.79% rate with a first-year quarterback and a below-average offensive line. While he has incorporated far more of the quick passing game recently, the lack of establishing the run with a volume-type runner like Brian Robinson Jr. is simply a flawed philosophy, in my opinion. When you are schematically flawed on offense and defense while lacking the necessary talent needed to run your scheme, you end up with a 4-8 record after week 12. This all falls on the head coach and general manager, Rivera, which is why a full house cleaning will be in order.

As far as a full house cleaning, Washington is surely a desirable place to come as of today, which is odd to say. Along with the approximate $90 million in cap space next season, this team is not held back by terrible contracts. The 3 main contracts entering the 2024 season, Terry McLaurin ($24 million cap hit), Jonathan Allen ($22 million cap hit), and Daron Payne ($22 million cap hit) can be considered foundational pieces to build around. Outside of those 3 players, there is not a player on this roster who doesn’t have a disposable contract, and any general manager taking this job will see great flexibility in salary alone. Then add the 5 draft picks, which include 3 in the top 40 picks in the first three rounds of the draft, and you can now add top-end talent to what is already in place or move back in the draft for more assets. There is definitely much to like about the Washington job, especially with Dan Snyder out and being in a large market. Now it’s just up to Josh Harris to make the right hire as general manager and the rest of the dominos thereafter fall in place without any major setbacks.