Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that former Panthers HC Ron Rivera has emerged as a top coaching candidate and has told people that he expects a deal to come together quickly.
- According to Rapoport, Rivera could be hired by a team 24 hours after Week 17 concludes on Sunday.
- Rapoport confirms reports that the Redskins are among the interested teams in Rivera, but there are other teams without openings “circling.”
- Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora also reports that the Redskins have “strong interest” in Rivera. Given that Rivera is expected to have several options, he would be hesitant to enter into any quick arrangement with Washington, according to La Canfora.
- Regarding Rivera, Jeremy Fowler reports that there’s “significant’ league buzz about him and the Redskins. Several sources have told Fowler that Rivera is considered a “prime candidate” for the job: “He’s being strongly considered.”
Rivera, 57, is a former second-round pick of the Bears back in 1984. He played several seasons in Chicago before taking his first coaching job with the Bears in 1997. He worked for the Eagles and Chargers before the Panthers hired him as their head coach in 2011.
Rivera spent the past nine years as the Panthers head coach and has led them to a record of 76-63-1, which includes four playoff appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl following the 2015 season. He has been named the AP coach of the year twice.
We’ll have more on Rivera as the news is available.
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