Ron Rivera is Putting His Coaching Career on the Line With the Redskins

We knew that Ron Rivera would be coaching in the NFL in 2020, we just thought that he would fancy joining forces with a contender...or at least a coherent organization.

On Tuesday morning, it became official that the former Carolina Panthers head coach would be taking the same position with the Washington Redskins, signing a five-year contract with the franchise.

To say that Riverboat Ron is putting his career on the line would be an understatement.

For starters, he's one of the most respected individuals in the league. Just look at how Carolina faltered to the finish in 2019. Furthermore, he's 57 years old. Assuming he lasts all five years -- which is a long time (and a big if) -- Rivera would be 62 at the end of his tenure. Not really a lot of coaching life after that.

And finally, perhaps most importantly, he's placing a ton of faith in a Redskins organization that is one of the worst-run in the NFL. Sure, they made the right move in moving on from Bruce Allen, but Dan Snyder is reportedly pulling the majority of the strings in the front office.

In Snyder's 21 years as team owner, Washington has compiled a 142-193 record.

Given Rivera's resume -- which is largely overrated considering he mustered just three winning seasons in his nine years with the Panthers -- we're just supposed to expect that the entire culture surrounding the Redskins will change for the better? He's well respected around the league, but changing the culture of a franchise is no small feat.

Even if Rivera brings in an attractive coaching staff, he is putting all of his eggs in Washington's basket. That is staggeringly gutsy, and potentially reckless.