Two sources with knowledge of the decision say that Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, has an agreement with the Washington Commanders to be hired as coach.
Since the team had not yet made the transfer official, the individuals spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday under the condition of anonymity. The NFL franchise that hired a new head coach was Washington.
Quinn, 53, coached the Atlanta Falcons for more than five seasons before spending the last three as the defensive coordinator for the NFC East rival Cowboys. After leading the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016, Quinn was fired in 2020 following a 0–5 start.
Following the news on Tuesday that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, a highly-regarded contender, would remain in Detroit and the Seahawks’ hiring of Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald on Wednesday, he emerged as Washington’s pick.
After four disappointing years under Ron Rivera’s leadership, the organization has a much-needed new approach under controlling owner Josh Harris, new general manager and head of football operations Adam Peters, and Quinn. This time, Harris was determined to divide the coaching and personnel responsibilities.
In his second term as an NFL head coach, Quinn now has the opportunity to assemble his own staff, much like Peters has the power to select a new coach. Though it’s unlikely, Eric Bieniemy may return to his role as offensive coordinator. On the defensive end, Rivera let Jack Del Rio go halfway through the previous campaign, leaving that spot unfilled.
Quinn’s defence helped Dallas win the NFC East before falling short in the opening round of the playoffs, ranking fifth in the league in terms of yards and points allowed. After the Commanders finished 4-13, including two crushing losses to the Cowboys, he was given the team to inherit.
In addition to having the second selection in the draft and over $80 million in salary cap space, Washington also gives Peters and Quinn the chance to personally select the next quarterback for a team that hasn’t had a reliable quarterback in decades.
The Washington brass was forced to turn their attention to other contenders after Johnson withdrew himself from consideration. Quinn became the front-runner when Macdonald left for Seattle, beating out candidates like Baltimore assistant Anthony Weaver and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for the position.
Quinn embodies the kind of leader Peters was hoping to find in Rivera’s replacement.
Quinn had previously been connected to the Seahawks, where he served as defensive coordinator under Pete Carroll in 2013 and 2014 before Atlanta gave him his first opportunity to lead a team. In the Super Bowl on February 5, 2017, the Falcons had a 28-3 lead before falling to the New England Patriots.
Quinn, a native of New Jersey, spent one year at Virginia Military Institute and five years at Hofstra before beginning his coaching career in 1994 as the defensive line coach at William & Mary. From 2001 to 2010, he served as a staff member for the San Francisco, New York Jets, and Seattle teams. After graduating from Florida University, he rejoined the Seahawks and contributed to their 2013 Super Bowl victory.
Quinn joins a team that has only won two postseason games in the previous thirty years and has not won a championship since 1992.
The biggest uncertainty is at quarterback, as usual in Washington. With Sam Howell tiring out after 17 games as the starter, Peters and Quinn must now make a significant choice at the most crucial position in football. Drake Maye of North Carolina may go to them with the No. 2 pick, or they might want to look into trade or free agency options.
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