The Washington Commanders have officially hired Dan Quinn to be their next head coach per reports. The former Falcon’s head coach and Cowboy’s defensive coordinator will look to guide the Commanders in their next phase. The franchise has seen a recent shift with regard to new ownership and management that has fans excited for the future.
What Dan Quinn Brings to Washington
While Quinn was not Washington’s first option for their next head coach, the former Falcon’s coach brings experience to the team. Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions elected to stay in his current position which made Quinn the next candidate. In Atlanta, Quinn appeared in a Super Bowl, had a winning record of 43-42. As the defensive coordinator with Dallas, he usually had his way with Washington as well.
In the 2023 NFL season, Quinn’s Cowboy defense destroyed the Commanders twice, only allowing 20 combined points. In a Thanksgiving matchup, the defense got to Washington quarterback Sam Howell with ease, sacking him 4 times and bringing pressure throughout the game. Additionally, Howell was intercepted three times in the two combined games.
Overall, Quinn’s defensive unit caused trouble for any offense. They allowed the fifth fewest points over the course of the season and generated 26 turnovers. If that success is replicated in Washington, it would be a major improvement for a Commander’s defense that was at the bottom of most every category.
Realistic Expectations for Commanders
As any sports fan knows, results are rarely seen immediately. With the major cultural reset that Washington has undergone with Josh Harris buying the team and Adam Peters stepping in as GM, fans need to be realistic about the timeline to success. Before Peters landed in DC, he was in San Francisco where it took a couple years to build a contender, something Washington fans should expect for their own team.
Now with Quinn signed on as the head coach, every major management position is relatively new to the Commanders. The team doesn’t even have their quarterback yet and likely won’t until the NFL Draft in April. With these things in mind, Quinn should not be expected to immediately make the postseason or win the NFC East.
However, the team must show consistent signs of progress throughout next season and beyond in order to be convinced of this coaching hire. More importantly, the staff hires that Quinn needs to make will certainly impact his level of success. As a defensive minded coach, he must find an offensive coordinator, whether he sticks with Eric Bieniemy or not, capable of developing and supporting a young quarterback.
Conclusion
The Commanders have entered a new phase as a franchise. Dan Quinn has a massive challenge awaiting him. To be successful, he must collaborate with the new ownership and with Adam Peters if they are to build a contender. Now, Quinn must make decisions on filling out his staff. Once he does that, and the team makes a quarterback decision, the Commanders will have officially begun their next chapter.
