Commanders’ newest locker room sign? ‘DO YOUR JOB’

ASHBURN — The doors into the Washington Commanders’ locker room now look slightly different after another sluggish start to the season.

There’s a new sign on the right door with a simple reminder, in all caps for emphasis: “DO YOUR JOB” 

Hey, if it worked for Bill Belichick, right? 

“There’s obviously, to me, a sense and a feel that we’re doing the things we need to do,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We’re not doing enough of them. We’ve got to do everything that’s involved with your job.

“That’s kind of the emphasis.” 

Yes, after Thursday’s 40-20 loss to the lowly Chicago Bears, the Commanders have reached the point of the season in which they’re searching for every bit of motivation to spur a turnaround. Following the defeat, Rivera said he’d review the team’s first five games and make changes as needed. Those changes, it seems, include a new in-your-face poster that isn’t particularly subtle. 

In adopting the “DO YOUR JOB” mantra, Rivera is borrowing a page from Belichick and the New England Patriots. “Do your job” during the Belichick-Tom Brady era became synonymous with New England’s dynasty, a catchphrase that summed up the reason for the Patriots’ success. 

Never mind the fact that saying hasn’t done any favors for the Patriots lately: New England (1-4) is off to an even worse than Washington (2-3). 

“Coach Rivera has always been someone who tries to give buzzwords to kind of help you focus on the importance of what our next task is,” Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “For myself, that’s always in my mind of how can I do my job to my best ability, but when you emphasize that a little bit more, it allows guys to take a step back and be like, ‘OK, how do I do execute my job?’” 

Rivera understands that a “certain type of person” will have a cynical reaction to Washington’s new sign. And naturally, social media users on X had a field day in mocking the effort. “They should put one in Ron’s office,” one user wrote. Added another: “Does Jack Del Rio know how to read?” One person replied with a gif from the fictional soccer television show “Ted Lasso,” with Jason Sudeikis’ character pointing to the “BELIEVE” sign hung up in AFC Richmond’s locker room. The sarcastic comments reflected just how frustrated Commanders fans are four years into Rivera’s tenure. 

But Rivera, who grew up in a military household, believes that kind of motivation can pay off — no matter how simple. The coach has long relied on little sayings as part of his coaching philosophy, often telling players to “be where your feet are” as the most obvious example.

Hanging signs with simple sayings isn’t even a new phenomenon for the Commanders, cornerback Kendall Fuller said. The eight-year veteran said that small signs such as “discipline and eyes” and “little details” exist in the defensive meeting rooms.

“I think that’s normal for a coaching staff,” Fuller said, “to have little things that they have up in the facility.” 

Ironically, the defense may be the biggest reason why “DO YOUR JOB” is now plastered for players to see as they enter the locker room. Washington is giving up a staggering 32 points per game, a stunning regression for a team that fielded a top-10 defense last year. The unit has consistently allowed explosive plays in part because players have moved too much out of position to chase a bigger play that turns out to not be there. 

The Commanders have been able to rebound in previous seasons, to varying degrees under Rivera. In the coach’s first year at the helm, Washington recovered from a 2-5 start to win the NFC East at 7-9. Washington missed the playoffs the next two seasons, but each of those years featured extended winning streaks (four straight in 2021, six of seven in 2022). In 2020 and 2022, the team’s defense improved so much that Washington finished in the top 10 of most statistical categories by the end of the year. 

For Washington to start a streak this year, the Commanders will first have to get by the Atlanta Falcons — Sunday’s opponent who is 3-2 and 2-point home favorites to beat Washington.  And yes, for that to happen, the Commanders will have to do their jobs. 

It’s why Rivera had the sign hung up Tuesday and addressed the message with his team.

“I’m stating the obvious,” Rivera said. “That’s the truth of the matter.”