Rivera and Mayhew will make major decisions for Commanders

Leadership requires tough decisions.

Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew certainly both recognize that the Commanders new owner taking over the reigns in a few months will discover the win totals for Rivera’s three seasons in Washington are 7, 7 and 8.

The Commanders aren’t the worst team in the NFL. Rivera and Mayhew know that the Commanders will not improve their win total next season.

Last off-season Commanders Wire wrote prior to the Carson Wentz trade Our concern was that Rivera and Mayhew were in a position of need and desperation. We were right to be concerned when the Commanders dropped a third-round option, a conditional 2nd/3rd round choice. The Colts talked them into swapping five places in the second rounds (five), and they agreed to take over all of Carson Wentz 2022’s salary of $28million.

To close the story, here is what we wrote last season:

Sometimes negotiations can be difficult. If we act too needy, our negotiation will end up being nothing more than the other man taking advantage of us. Fair mediation requires you to be willing to leave the table. If necessary, I hope Coach Ron and Mayhew will both be willing to leave the table.

We are here again. Derek Carr, Raiders quarterback, will be available. You’ve seen the best Heinicke can give you, and you have no idea how Sam Howell will develop over the next three seasons.

Carr, however, is a Cap hit of $34,875,000 for 2023, $43,875,000 for 2024 and $43,175,000 for 2025. Rivera and Mayhew “need” to win next season. Therefore, they You might not be able to wait to see how Howell develops.

They might be motivated to keep their jobs, but this could endanger the franchise’s future success over the next three to fourth seasons. Don’t fool yourself; we are all tempted to make decisions which advantage ourselves and disadvantage others. It is part of the sad human story.

Commanders 2023 free agents to consider, such as Daron Payne, Taylor Heinicke, Cole Holcomb, Cam Sims, Jeremy Reaves, Jonathan Williams, Khaleke Hudson, Milo Eifler, Tyler Larsen and Wes Schweitzer.

Oh, and how about 2024 free agents like Montez Sweat and Kamren Curl and James Smith-Williams? Antonio Gibson, Chase Young and Kendall Fuller? Curtis Samuel?

Sam Howell should be signed to a rookie contract. Then, you can build up your draft stock, sign proven players who will help you in the next 3-4 year, and then sign a low-cost veteran quarterback.

Leaders who are the best do the right thing for the organization and the long-term.