Alex Smith slams Ron Rivera after Commanders coach identified ‘quarterback’ as a team weakness

The NFC East is in the midst of a revival.

The downtrodden division with a turbulent history lays claim to three of the NFL’s top five records with Sunday’s games featuring the 5-0 Philadelphia Eagles and 4-1 New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

Then there are the Washington Commanders. Perhaps the most beleaguered of the once-proud NFC East franchises is stuck in the dirt in 2022 with a 1-4 start. They snapped defeat from the jaws of victory on Sunday when quarterback Carson Wentz threw a goalline interception in the dwindling seconds of regulation that sealed a 21-17 win for the Tennessee Titans.

On Monday, head coach Ron Rivera was asked why he thinks the rest of the division is making progress where the Commanders aren’t. His answer was blunt. And it didn’t sit well with former Commanders quarterback Alex Smith.

“Quarterback,” Rivera said.

That was it. A one word answer. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is the only team in the division that appears to have a real differentiator behind center in Jalen Hurts.

The Giants win despite a lack of significant progression from Daniel Jones, a former fourth-year first-round pick whom the franchise declined to extend or even exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. He has thrown three touchdowns and two interceptions in five games for an offense ranked 23rd in the NFL.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are playing with a backup quarterback. Dak Prescott has not played since suffering a thumb injury in the Dallas season opener. The Cowboys have since had four straight wins thanks to a swarming defense and consistent play from backup quarterback Cooper Rush (4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions in four starts).

Rivera only elaborated on his one-word answer when faced with a follow-up question that focused on the Cowboys’ quarterback situation.

The story goes on

Rivera oversaw the trade for Wentz: Does he regret it?

Rivera greenlit the offseason trade for Wentz, which saw the Commanders send a package to the Indianapolis Colts that included 2022 and 2023 third-round picks. The 2023 pick converts to a second-round pick if Wentz plays 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps that season. It was a hefty price to pay for a quarterback the Colts were openly done with, who was previously rebuffed by an Eagles team that drafted him No. 2 in 2016.

In five games, it was similar for Wentz, whose six interceptions in five games are the third most in the NFL. Showing the big-play ability that made him a desirable contender, he was outstanding Sunday until his late-game error (25 of 38 for 359 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception). But he counters with too many mistakes for his team to overcome.

Wentz certainly cannot be blamed for all of Washington’s woes. There’s a lot of finger pointing, like there’s been throughout Daniel Snyder’s time as team owner. But Rivera’s frustration is understandable. It’s just shocking to hear an NFL coach say them out loud — especially one as measured as Rivera.

So does Rivera regret acting for Wentz? Faced with the possibility of going back, he said no but still couldn’t muster full-bodied endorsement from his starting quarterback.

Alex Smith tears up his former coach

That doesn’t sound like a man who has faith in his quarterback. Smith, who played quarterback for the Commanders under Rivera, didn’t mince words when he heard what Rivera said. The now-retired quarterback is an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. He tore up his former coach.

“It was really hard for me to watch,” Smith said. “When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it. I’m not here to defend Carson Wentz. He’s had, you know, a career of ups and downs. But this is a defensive head coach who absolutely busts his quarterback…”

“The blame has to be shared. It’s a team sport. It’s the ultimate team sport.”

Smith is widely loved and respected in NFL circles. His voice counts. And he’s likely not the only Commanders quarterback, past or present, to question Rivera’s comments.