Washington

Commanders

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn brought Johnson aboard less than two weeks after being hired, back in February 2024. Johnson served as the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach from 2021-2022 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023. Johnson took the same employment path at Florida before that, going from the quarterbacks coach in 2018-2019 to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2020.

Simmons originally interviewed for the Steelers’ defensive coordinator vacancy, but that role is expected to go to Patrick Graham. Now Simmons will reunite with Graham and head coach Mike McCarthy. Simmons got his start as a coach in Green Bay and wound up spending nearly a decade there. He has since held the title of defensive pass game coordinator for the Panthers, Raiders, and Commanders.

What is the first order of business for the Mike McCarthy Era? Obviously it’s interviewing his old coaches. Simmons was with McCarthy in Green Bay from 2011-2018. He’s been Washington’s defensive passing game coordinator since 2024.

Jones booked no less than six interviews for defensive coordinator vacancies in the past two weeks, ultimately landing with the Commanders. Details of the signing are not yet available. Jones had a significant hand in a Minnesota defense that held opponents to the fewest pass yards per game in 2025 and now gets his first shot at defensive play calling duties in the Nation’s capitol.

Jones has had several DC interviews since the season ended, though some of those openings have since been filled. The Vikings ranked seventh in points per game allowed this year and led the league in passing yards per game allowed. Jones has primarily coached in Minnesota since joining the professional ranks, but does have stints with the Dolphins and Bengals. Having learned from Brian Flores in Minnesota for a few seasons, Jones should land a DC job sooner rather than later.

Lynn met with the Cleveland brass on Saturday night in Florida. He spoke with the Bills about their head coaching vacancy earlier in the day. Lynn spent four years as the Chargers’ head coach, going 33-31 with one playoff victory. He worked in Detroit as their OC for a year after that. Lynn is respected in league circles but doesn’t fit the archetype of the young offensive wunerdkind that most teams are looking for these days. Still, he could get a second chance at leading a team, particularly in Cleveland, where several candidates have already pulled out of the running.

You won’t find many defensive coordinators on the market more qualified than Austin, who has led as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator since 2022 while also holding the same role with the Lions (2014-2017) and the Bengals (2018). Since Austin took over as the Steelers’ defensive play-caller, the team finished in the top-10 in points allowed three times, while ranking in the top-15 in yards allowed twice. This is the first reported interview for Austin, who may or may not be back with the Steelers once they solidify their next head coach.

Harris continues to make the rounds for defensive coordinator openings. The former Pro Bowl corner, who entered the league as a coach in 2012, joined the Bears last offseason as their defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator after spending the previous five seasons with the Cowboys in a similar role. Under Harris, the Bears led the league with 33 turnovers, which included 23 interceptions. Harris most recently met with the Commanders and spent four years coaching alongside Dan Quinn during their days in Dallas. Harris seems primed to make the leap to defensive coordinator somewhere this offseason, but could have more interviews on the way as other teams continue to fill head-coaching vacancies.

Harris coached defensive backs and was the passing game coordinator for a Bears defense that led the league with 23 interceptions this season. He interviewed with the Packers for their defensive coordinator vacancy and will next interview with the Commanders. With Brian Flores signing an extension with the Vikings, the Commanders are pivoting to other options for their defensive coordinator opening.

Lynn, 57, has served in his current roles over the last two seasons. In the two seasons before that, he served as the 49ers’ assistant head coach and running backs coach. He spent the 2021 season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator following a four-year run as the Chargers’ head coach.