On Friday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former NFL punter and host of one of the most popular shows in America weighed in on the Washington Commanders’ humiliating Thursday night loss to the Chicago Bears.
McAfee specifically focused on the Bears and their 27-3 halftime lead over Washington. Remember, Chicago hadn’t won in almost a full calendar year and was amidst a 14-game losing streak.
Buy Commanders TicketsWhen Amazon interviewed Washington head coach Ron Rivera at halftime, and he was asked what he said to his players, Rivera said nothing, as he let the players talk to each other.
After replaying the interview, McAfee responded:
“This guy’s checked out…….The only thing coaches are really, I mean………coaches wear a lot of hats, got to put the schedule together, got to deal with everyone going on, you don’t really coach as much, but like halftime when your team is getting buzz-sawed 27-3, that’s one of those moments where coaches come out and say, ‘We got to remember this, we got to focus on this, each play, each drive. There’s not going to be a 24-point play we’ll be able to have. We just got to do one step at a time.'”
Then this from McAfee:
“And Ron Rivera goes in there, 27-3, and goes, ‘I ain’t got s–t to say. Let’s let the boys talk.’ I’m very worried that Ron Rivera has lost his fastball completely as head coach. And with the new ownership in town with how it rolled last night, I think all eyes are on Ron Rivera. And I hate it because the guy played, he’s coached, he’s beloved, we’ve appreciated him, but it feels like he’s checked out. I can’t be the only one that’s thinking that.”
McAfee and his co-hosts also discussed Rivera’s lack of emotion on the sideline.
McAfee has been outspoken about his respect for Rivera in the past, but in August, he discussed Rivera’s comments regarding quarterback Sam Howell. Rivera admitted to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated he was surprised by Howell’s performance in the season finale against Dallas, and he would’ve played him sooner if he had known he was that good.
“I do believe, as a football coach, though, his time is done,” McAfee said at the time.
COME ON Riverboat Ron..
When you're down 27-3 at halftime SOMETHING has to be said #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/irz4uBiGh6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 6, 2023
The Commanders are back in action in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons.
