Social media reacts to Commanders firing Jack Del Rio

The Washington Commanders finally made a move on Friday, firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer after losing 45-10 to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.

This wasn’t about one game. Washington’s defense, which was supposed to be a team strength in 2023, is an unmitigated disaster. The Commanders have allowed 30 or more points in seven of the 12 games they’ve played this season and are last in the NFL in scoring defense by almost 2.5 points.

In every game, the Commanders have opposing wide receivers roaming free in the secondary, with defenders nowhere close. Washington allows multiple big plays per game and has struggled to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

We took to X — formerly Twitter — to see what the fans and media were saying.

Fan reactions part 1

I’m glad JDR is gone but that won’t really change the season.

— Sam (@RPh_HTTR) November 24, 2023

Trade Chase and Montez and now get rid of JDR. Josh Harris …..Silent assassin!

— JukemPNukem (@JukemPNukem) November 24, 2023

I know RoN MAD as HELL he gotta watch film and call plays on defense now lol

No More Stoic Arm Crossing for 60 minutes lol#HTTC

— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) November 24, 2023

Fan reactions part 2

Me sending off Jack Del Rio at Dulles pic.twitter.com/4l0NZ8aN1K

— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) November 24, 2023

COMMANDERS HAVE FIRED JACK DEL RIO LFGGGGGGGGGG #commanders pic.twitter.com/kHKvesCiJQ

— PAIN (@Xommanders) November 24, 2023

I know Jack Del Rio is mad he got fired on #BlackFriday

— Strictly 4 My X’ers (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) November 24, 2023

Firing Jack Del Rio just for Ron Rivera to start calling plays for the defense #HTTC pic.twitter.com/PSuHPcQJZS

— Football & Money (@nextmediaxyz) November 24, 2023

Local media reactions

Commanders firing Del Rio became a necessity. Defense is dead last in the league. Vieselmeyer wasn’t equipped to be DBs coach, assistant role was one thing but not the elevation. First of many changes coming in Washington.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 24, 2023

Can't overstate how much of a debacle Jack Del Rio's #Commanders defense was/is. So many resources poured into it. Fourth straight season with him as DC. Remarkable health. Hasn't faced some brutal schedule of QBs. And yet is maybe Washington's worst defense of the last 30 years.

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) November 24, 2023

Rivera answered something last night that made me think this was coming. I think about how can change occur if no change happens or along those lines. He had decided already IMO. JDR was cooked like that turkey Dak & #Cowboys ate out of Salvation Army hat. #Commanders

— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) November 24, 2023

I’m expecting to see spin about the defense falling off after trading Sweat/ Young…

The Commanders ranked 29th in defense at the time of those trades. They were 29th against the pass. They had a 9-sack game since trading them. The D has been worse but it was already bottom-5.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 24, 2023

National media reactions

It’s only just begun…

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) November 24, 2023

A shakeup in Washington:#Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has been fired following another crushing loss, sources say, this time to the #Cowboys.

Ron Rivera presumably will call the D now. pic.twitter.com/dz991tj4P2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2023

New All-22 on @TheNFLWire: Based on tape and metrics, the question isn't why the @Commanders fired DC Jack Del Rio — the question is, why did it take so long? https://t.co/86oBi7XxoV

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) November 24, 2023

More fan reactions

Fans get their pound of flesh but Del Rio is a scapegoat. Rivera is the real problem and will last till the end of the season.

Good news is we shouldn't get any more TV shots of Ron standing on the sideline with his arms crossed. He should at least be holding a playsheet now https://t.co/pBeysYllyT

— Tailgate Ted (@TailgateTed) November 24, 2023