Ron Rivera made serious waves across the football world when he indicated that quarterback play was the key factor in limiting the Commanders' success on Monday.
Rivera's words, viewed by many as a biting critique towards Washington QB Carson Wentz — a player Rivera was thought to have been integral in acquiring — caused a bit of a frenzy, with some, including former Commanders starter Alex Smith, saying Rivera was out of pocket.
On Tuesday, Rivera owned up to his faux pas. Rivera opened his Tuesday afternoon presser by apologizing for his Wentz comments, saying he "had a bad day" and calling his comments a "mea culpa moment."
Ron Rivera did a nice job opening his presser by owning yesterday:
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 11, 2022
"I spoke to my team this morning. I told them I said some things that were misconstrued, I didn't present properly. That's on me. I took accountability. Told the guys I should know better. Shit, I had a bad day."
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Rivera expounded on his remarks during an appearance on the Don Geronimo Show, explaining that he meant to say that the other teams in the NFC East (all sitting at 4-1 or better) are playing signal-callers familiar with the system.
Ron Rivera said on the @DonGeronimoShow that he addressed the team and talked to Carson this morning about his comments yesterday.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 11, 2022
Rivera clarified that he meant the other QBs in the NFC East have familiarity in their systems/teams, and Wentz is in his first year in WAS. pic.twitter.com/ZkDvNoJr35
Wentz didn't seem too bothered by Rivera's assertion, reiterating that it was Washington's PR team that alerted him to the situation. Wentz credited Rivera for addressing his remarks in front of the team.
"Coach addressed it, handled it," he told reporters. "(It's) nothing, for me, that I'm overly concerned about it. Coach is a very straightforward, upfront guy, and he addressed it in the team meeting, which I thought was really cool, and what he meant by it all."
The Commanders (1-4) get a short week before facing the Bears (2-3) on Thursday Night Football. Wentz is nursing a shoulder injury, but took all his reps on Tuesday and is expected to start, according to Rivera.
