Report: Ex-Panther Ron Rivera Expected to Be Hired by Redskins as Head Coach

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers fired Rivera on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, parting ways with him with four games left in the regular season. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is reportedly on track to land another job in the near future.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Sunday that "things have progressed very nicely" for Rivera, who has a meeting with Washington scheduled for Monday. Rapoport cited agents Frank Bauer and Kenny Chapman and called it a "key meeting."

Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported that Rivera is expected to be hired Monday following the interview.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
The #Redskins interview with coach Ron Rivera is more of a coronation. All signs point to Rivera becoming Washington’s new coach today, sources say. That is the expectation. Veteran agent Frank Bauer would not allow him on an interview like this unless significant work was done.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Former Panthers’ HC Ron Rivera is expected to be hired as the next head coach of the Washington Redskins barring any unforeseen developments, per sources.

This all comes after Alex Marvez of Sirius XM reported former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is a "strong contender" for the vacant Washington job.

Michael Silver @MikeSilver
As @RapSheet reported, Rivera is the Skins' first choice. A source familiar with the Redskins' search believes that this is Rivera's first choice of jobs.

Carolina fired Rivera on Dec. 3 following a 5-7 start during a second straight playoff-less season for the organization.

This year marked the third time in four seasons the Panthers finished with a losing record, a far cry from the start of Rivera's tenure. He took over head coaching duties prior to the 2011 season and reached the playoffs four times, including during the 2015 campaign when he led Carolina to a Super Bowl.

That Super Bowl run, as well as a 76-63-1 record, makes him appealing to teams like Washington looking for stability, even if he didn't perform up to expectations in 2019.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

Washington fired Jay Gruden following an 0-5 start to this season, and Bill Callahan has been the interim coach since. However, Rivera would give the NFC East team a new direction with young quarterback Dwayne Haskins and a potential game-breaker at wide receiver in Terry McLaurin.

He could help facilitate a rebuild that will also include the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL draft.