Dan

Quinn

‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt and restricted free agent Chris Rodriguez would stand to gain fantasy value if the Commanders focused on a more run-focused approach, as they seem like a team that has limited resources to dedicate to the running back position this offseason. It’s hard to speculate on who the Commanders could bring in to install a scheme that’s akin to what Quinn desires just based on the idea of more run-pass balance, but the search to replace Kliff Kingsbury looks destined to bring in someone with a more buttoned-up run game.

Russini adds that “changes to the offense and the defense remain possible.” Quinn took over defensive play-calling in November. Replacing DC Joe Whitt seems plausible. The team has also reportedly “had conversations about potentially moving on from [OC Kliff] Kingsbury even if he doesn’t get a head-coaching job.”

After becoming the first team to lose four-straight games by 20-plus points since the 2002 Cardinals, Quinn decided something must be done. The Commanders’ defense has been abysmal all season, but their struggles have become more noticeable as they enter the more difficult portion of their schedule. Since Week 7, the Commanders have allowed 38.5 points per game and 451.3 yards per game. Quinn’s defenses as a head coach have never been the stellar units we’ve grown accustomed to seeing when he was a defensive coordinator, so this isn’t exactly new territory. We’ll see if this change leads to better results as the Commanders now prepare for a Week 11 game game in Spain against the Dolphins who are fresh off an upset win over the Bills.

The Commanders appear to be taking an open-minded approach with the No. 2 overall pick, which will presumably be used on a quarterback. In addition to saying they are willing to hear calls for offers to trade the No. 2 pick, head coach Dan Quinn has also said it’s “fair to envision” the team drafting a quarterback early in next month’s draft. Given the strength of this year’s class and the position that they’re in, it’s hard to imagine the Commanders not taking a shot on a franchise quarterback with a new regime in place and a need at the position.

Quinn brings six years of head coaching experience to Washington. The former Falcons head coach went 43-42 during his time with the team, making the playoffs in two of those seasons while also being on the receiving end of a loss to Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl LI in the infamous “28-3" game. The Commanders enter the 2024 offseason holding the most cap space of any team in the league and the No. 2 overall pick, which will presumably be used on a franchise quarterback. As a defensive coach, Quinn never quite put the pieces together on the defensive side of the ball in Atlanta, as the Falcons boasted only one top-10 defensive unit in his six seasons. He and newly-hired GM Adam Peters have the money and assets to get Washington’s rebuild off the ground, now the real work begins.

We already knew the sides were talking, but it’s taken on greater meaning with the surprise news that Lions OC Ben Johnson, for some reason, doesn’t want the job. Quinn could be a decent turnaround artist from the perspective that he’s a player’s coach who should handle his side of the ball. He would also seem extremely unlikely to be the man to complete the gut-job rebuild Washington is embarking on.

Detroit’s Ben Johnson remains the odds-on favorite to land Washington’s head coaching gig, but the team is also set to speak with Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, along with defensive coordinators Dan Quinn and Aaron Glenn. With so many interviews on tap, the Commanders’ search isn’t quite over yet, but we’d expect them to come to a decision sometime this week. In addition to the five coaches they have to meet, the Commanders have already conducted second interviews with Texans OC Bobby Slowik and in-house candidate Eric Bieniemy.

Quinn had a second interview with the Seahawks on Thursday and is clearly a finalist to land either of the two gigs. Only three head coaching vacancies remain in the league, one of which is the Falcons — Quinn’s old stomping grounds. The Seahawks have long been considered the favorite to land Quinn, but the Commanders are clearly interested in his services. Washington currently holds the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft and has over $70 million in cap space. Coupled with those things is the fact that Washington is also under new ownership, making it an enticing destination for whoever receives an offer for the position.

Quinn’s past connection to the Seahawks has made him a top candidate to fill the void left by Pete Carroll. Quinn served as the Seahawks assistant head coach and defensive line coach from 2009 to 2010 and returned in 2013 and 2014 as their defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching gig in Atlanta. Quinn is scheduled to meet with other teams in the coming days, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see an offer come from the Seahawks before he leaves the building.

Quinn will now meet with the Commanders, Titans, and Seahawks this week as teams continue to zero in on the current defensive coordinator. The former Falcons head coach has spent the last three seasons coaching up a top-10 defensive unit in Dallas and remains high on the radar of several teams.