The Washington Commanders are 4-8 on the season, winless in the NFC East, just fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and have a new owner who has transparently stated he will make changes throughout the organization after the season is complete.

Multiple sources tell Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that managing partner Josh Harris is inclined to keep Ron Rivera through the end of the regular season, but it is widely assumed that he will not be retained as head coach and the ostensible chief of football for the Commanders after the 17th game of the year.

That means there will be a search for a head coach, and very possibly a general manager, in Washington this offseason. And both jobs are thought to be among the most attractive in the NFL.

Rivera finishing out the season is likely to take place even if Washington is mathematically eliminated from postseason contention weeks earlier. One source said Rivera has "earned the right" to stay through the end, while others have noted Harris keeping Rivera through a lost season presents himself as a benevolent owner who's willing to fairly evaluate everything without making rash decisions.

The decision to fire Del Rio was Rivera's, with no stated mandate from ownership. The defense has struggled all season -- they were bottom-four in yards allowed and points allowed before the Chase Young and Montez Sweat trades -- and a team source indicated the defense could use a boost with Del Rio out of a job.

Rivera signed a five-year deal ahead of the 2020 season, so he still has one year left on his contract.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theredzoneorg 
     
Don't forget to follow us on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@theredzoneorg 
       
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Theredzone.org