Pressure doesn't bother Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera. He is the pressure in trying to lift a lukewarm 7-9 NFC East champion to legitimate postseason contender this fall.
That means finding some marquee names, but not overspending. Looking for low-budget fits who are better than fans expect. Ignoring everyone from ownership to Twitter trolls who think they know better than the NFL lifer.
Good luck pleasing everyone. Oh wait, Rivera doesn't care. And, that's the only way to succeed. Rivera is working on a three-year plan and the first season was a success so he's in no hurry to make a massive move in the second year if it means undermining the third.
Translation: Washington isn't breaking the bank to find a big-name quarterback. Rivera seems in no hurry to find one in the first round in April, either. He'll take the draft and free agency boards as they come.
Don't look for marquee signings when free agency begins March 17. Oh, Rivera told reporters on Wednesday that the team is eyeing some potential big moves. But mostly, Rivera is looking to first sign his own free agents and then secure safe-and-sure outsiders to fill holes. Players that fit on-field needs rather than entice fans to return to FedEx Field.
Mostly, it sounds like last year's plan that worked well for Rivera's first season. Tight end Logan Thomas and running back J.D. McKissic drew yawns as free agent signings before largely carrying the offense. Guard Wes Schweitzer quietly did his job along with running back Peyton Barber. Cornerback Kendall Fuller was a sound producer as the marquee signing.
This time, Washington looks to re-sign cornerback Ronald Darby, who reportedly has several teams interested to raise the price. The problem is Darby is only an average No. 2 corner, so Washington should be prepared to let him walk if the money is too crazy. Same goes for cornerback Fabian Moreau.
Washington will probably lose ends Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson. Both homegrown players want a bigger role elsewhere. Kerrigan should try to latch on to a top Super Bowl contender to earn a ring in the waning years of his solid career. Anderson never did much as a 2017 second-rounder. Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis may be replaced.
Receiver and linebacker are prime targets, but so much will change over the next week that Washington needs flexibility. With the salary cap dropping $17 million to $182.5 million because of 2020 pandemic losses, teams will shed more veterans than normal to get under the salary cap level. Indeed, Dallas essentially has enough room to sign its rookie class after a blockbuster deal to keep quarterback Dak Prescott. Suddenly, the Cowboys will be all hat and no cattle.
Washington's prime targets may suddenly change with new names available. There could be more one-year deals as players look for long-term deals in 2022 when new TV contracts raise the salary cap.
Either way, Rivera is just plugging along. The prize is within sight, but not in his grasp yet.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
