Will the Commanders fire Ron Rivera? Co-owner Magic Johnson raises hot seat temperature with post-loss message

The weather is getting cooler, but the seat is getting hotter for Ron Rivera.

The Commanders are off to a 2-3 start in 2023, in a season in which the team should be turning a corner after a few lackluster years under head coach Ron Rivera. On Thursday night, they were handed their most embarrassing loss of the 2023 compaign, a 40-20 drubbing by the hapless Bears.

Washington has given up 30 or more points in four straight games, and that kind of defensive ineptitude has caught the eyes of people in very high places within the organization.

MORE: NFL hot seat rankings — Where does Ron Rivera sit?

Following the game, Washington limited owner Magic Johnson let some thoughts known on the team's effort, which seems to put Rivera and the rest of the coaching staff on notice, and somewhat understandably.

Here's what Johnson had to say, and what it may mean for Rivera's future in D.C.:

Will the Commanders fire Ron Rivera?

If Johnson's latest tweet is any indicator, then the seat just got a bit hotter for Rivera. Following the 40-20 loss to the Bears on "Thursday Night Football," Johnson tweeted displeasure with the team's effort, seemingly

Tonight the Commanders played with no intensity or fire. We didn’t compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of and that is why we ended up losing 40-20.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 6, 2023

"Tonight the Commanders played with no intensity or fire. We didn’t compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of and that is why we ended up losing 40-20," Johnson posted.

While he didn't mention Rivera by name, questioning a team's effort, intensity or fire is a pretty big indictment on a head coach. As the saying goes, you're either coaching it or allowing it to happen.

A visibly peeved Rivera emerged from the locker room at halftime speaking the same vague coach-speak that was hardly enough to inspire fans watching. But, to Washington's credit, they did fight back in the second half, but wouldn't come within more than a two-score deficit.

Rivera's standing as head coach could be tenuous not only for the criticism from one of his bosses, but also who's on his staff. The team brought in long-time Andy Reid disciple Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator this offseason, and some believe that Bieniemy is in line for an NFL head coaching gig in the near future; potentially, the one in Washington if the office is cleared out.

For now, though, Rivera remains employed — but consider Magic Johnson's tweet a warning that ownership is watching very, very closely.

Ron Rivera coaching record

Rivera spent nine years with the Panthers before making his way up to D.C. in 2020.

In all, it's been a pretty mixed bag of results for Rivera, who has eight seasons with a sub-.500 record as an NFL head coach.

Here's his year-by-year breakdown: