In the aftermath of Ron Rivera's expected firing, the Washington Commanders have wasted no time in identifying potential candidates to fill the vacant head coaching position. The team has already extended interview requests to several promising individuals, according to information from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Among the sought-after candidates are Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, both of whom have garnered significant attention in the current hiring cycle. Johnson, in particular, has had a successful second season with the Lions, contributing to the team's efficiency on offense, especially in working closely with quarterback Jared Goff. The 37-year-old coach has been an NFL staffer for 12 years, making him an attractive prospect for numerous teams. In a familiar scenario, the Carolina Panthers are once again demonstrating their interest in Johnson, as they search for a new head coach and general manager.

Another potential contender for the Commanders' head coaching role is defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Although his tenure with the Lions has had some ups and downs, his success with the team led to an extension last winter. Glenn has also expressed his ambition to eventually become a head coach in his career. His experience as part of Dan Campbell's staff makes him an intriguing option for Washington.

In addition to Johnson and Glenn, the Commanders have also expressed interest in Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Morris, who has spent the past three years in Los Angeles, boasts an impressive coaching career that includes a previous stint as the secondary coach in Washington. His defensive expertise aligns with the team's history, with Ron Rivera also having a defensive background.

The Commanders have also reached out to Ravens associate head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. Weaver's strong performance in Baltimore over the past three seasons has placed him on the radar of several teams in need of a head coach. Additionally, Ravens coordinators Todd Monken and Mike Macdonald are expected to garner interest from other teams, further intensifying the competition in the coaching market.

While the Commanders have assembled a strong quartet of candidates, they can anticipate fierce competition from other organizations also vying for new coaching talent. Virtual interviews with playoff team candidates are subject to adjustements in the interview process and cannot take place until at least January 16, as per the recent changes in procedure for this year.

As the search for a new head coach commences, the Washington Commanders are undoubtedly hoping to find a candidate who can lead the team to success and restore their prominence in the league.