Christian McCaffrey thinks Redskins are getting a great leader in Ron Rivera

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will have a new head coach next season in Matt Rhule but reflects on his time playing for Ron Rivera.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is coming off a breakout season in the NFL, one where he made his first career trip to the Pro Bowl, as well as being named First-Team All-Pro. While McCaffrey had great individual success, the Panthers struggled in the second half, resulting in head coach Ron Rivera being fired before the end of the year.

While McCaffrey and the Panthers are getting a phenomenal up-and-coming head coach in Matt Rhule, McCaffrey briefly reflects on what it was like playing for Rivera and what the Washington Redskins will be getting in their next head coach.

“They are getting a great leader,” said McCaffrey to FanSided‘s Mark Carman on behalf of Verizon. “They’re getting somebody who knows how to make a team play to the best of their ability. Win or lose, he was always the same. Consistent in his leadership, consistent in his coaching and somebody that’s very easy to fight for.”

They were only together for three years in Charlotte, but you can tell by the tone of his voice how impactful Rivera was on McCaffrey as a young NFL player. Admittedly, it was shocking to see the Panthers let Rivera go, even more, shocking he’d willingly go to a dysfunctional organization like Washington without taking a gap year from coaching.

What people have to realize is the Panthers weren’t in great shape when he took over for John Fox in 2011. The Panthers were the worst team in football, coming off a 2-14 season. They drafted Cam Newton and became the first team in NFC South history to repeat as division champions, making it all the way to the Super Bowl in 2015.

It’s a new chapter in Panthers football with Rhule taking over for Rivera. While Newton’s return is questionable and superstar linebacker Luke Kuechly has retired, Carolina looks to be in good shape with a great star at running back in McCaffrey. The Panthers will find a way to Keep Pounding. They always do.

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Christian McCaffrey spoke with FanSided on behalf of Verizon.