The Washington Commanders have finally found their new head coach after a long and thorough search. They have agreed to hire Dan Quinn, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach and the current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, according to multiple sources. Quinn will replace Ron Rivera, who was fired after four disappointing seasons with the franchise.
Quinn’s Second Chance to Lead a Team
Dan Quinn is no stranger to the NFL head coaching scene. He was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2020, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016. However, he was unable to sustain the success and was fired after a 0–5 start in 2020. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator, where he helped them improve from one of the worst defenses in the league to one of the best. The Cowboys ranked fifth in both points and yards allowed in 2023 and won the NFC East title before losing in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Quinn will now get another opportunity to prove himself as a head coach with the Washington Commanders, who have been looking for stability and direction for a long time. The Commanders have not made the playoffs since 2015 and have gone through seven different head coaches since 2009. They have also struggled to find a franchise quarterback, as they have started 11 different players at the position in the past four seasons.
Quinn will be reunited with Adam Peters, who was hired as the new general manager and head of football operations for the Commanders earlier this month. Peters and Quinn worked together in the San Francisco 49ers front office from 2017 to 2019 and shared a similar vision for building a winning culture and a competitive roster. The Commanders have the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and more than $80 million in salary cap space, giving them plenty of flexibility and resources to reshape the team according to their plan.
Quinn’s Impact on the Cowboys and the NFC East
Quinn’s departure from the Cowboys will leave a big void in their defense, which was one of their strengths in 2023. The Cowboys will have to find a new defensive coordinator who can maintain or improve the level of performance that Quinn achieved. They will also have to deal with some potential free agents on their defense, such as defensive end Randy Gregory, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and cornerback Anthony Brown.
Quinn’s arrival in Washington will also spice up the rivalry between the Commanders and the Cowboys, who are both in the NFC East division. The Cowboys dominated the Commanders in their two meetings in 2023, winning by a combined score of 85-26. However, with Quinn on the other side, the Commanders might pose a bigger challenge to the Cowboys in 2024 and beyond. Quinn will also face his former team, the Falcons, in the 2024 regular season, as the Commanders will host them at FedExField.
Quinn’s Expectations and Goals with the Commanders
Quinn will inherit a team that has a lot of potential but also a lot of question marks. The Commanders have some young and talented players on their roster, such as defensive end Chase Young, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and running back Antonio Gibson. They also have some veterans who can provide leadership and experience, such as defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, tight end Logan Thomas, and guard Brandon Scherff. However, they also have some glaring needs, especially at the quarterback position, where they have no clear starter or long-term solution.
Quinn will have to work with Peters and the rest of the front office to address those needs, either through the draft, free agency, or trades. He will also have to establish his coaching staff, as he will have the authority to hire his assistants. He will likely look for an offensive coordinator who can develop and maximize the potential of whoever will be the quarterback for the Commanders. He will also have to decide whether to retain any of the current defensive coaches or bring in his own.
Quinn’s ultimate goal with the Commanders will be to turn them into a consistent contender in the NFC and the NFL. He has shown that he can take a team to the Super Bowl, but he has also shown that he can lose his grip on a team and fail to meet expectations. He will have to learn from his mistakes and successes and apply them to his new situation. He will have to earn the trust and respect of the players, the fans, and the ownership. He will have to create a culture of accountability, excellence, and resilience. He will have to make the commanders relevant again.
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