Former Vikings Pro Bowl defender fired by the Commanders

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jack Del Rio was relieved of his duties as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders on Friday.

Before beginning his coaching career in the NFL, Jack Del Rio spent 11 years as a linebacker in the league, which included four seasons as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

Del Rio's playing career had plenty of ups and downs, and the same has remained true for his coaching career, with the latest significant event taking place on Friday when he was fired as the defensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders.

In his final game running the team's defense, the Commanders lost 45-10 to the Dallas Cowboys, and 38 of those 45 points were given up by Washington's defense. Following Thursday's contest, the Commanders now rank last in the NFL in points allowed this season.

Washington Commanders defense failed to meet expectations under former Minnesota Vikings linebacker

Under Del Rio in 2022, Washington's defense was one of the strengths of the team, ranking sixth in the NFL in points allowed per drive and third in total yards allowed.

This season, however, things certainly went in the wrong direction for Del Rio and the Commanders' defense, especially when it came to stopping the opposing offense's passing attack.

After Thursday's loss to the Cowboys, Washington currently ranks last in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed and 31st in yards allowed per pass attempt.

The Commanders are now sitting with a 4-8 record, and head coach Ron Rivera clearly felt that moving on from Del Rio was a decision that needed to be made after Thursday's 35-point loss in Dallas.

Del Rio spent the final four seasons of his playing career in the NFL with the Vikings, including the 1994 campaign in which he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after accumulating a total of 129 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and one forced fumble.