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Nothing could've gone any better for Dan Quinn in 2024, his first year as head coach of the Washington Commanders. Everything the Commanders did that season seemed to work. Unfortunately, Quinn and the Commanders didn't have the same luck in 2025.
Washington went from 12-5 to 5-12. Quinn replaced both coordinators after the season. When a coach moves on from both his offensive and defensive coordinators after only two seasons, conventional wisdom says he's on the hot seat. He wasn't. For as bad as last season went for the Commanders, Quinn was never in danger of being replaced.
As for the coordinator moves, he had no choice but to fire defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Washington's defensive personnel was an issue, so were injuries, but Whitt looked overmatched in the role. Additionally, several 2024 stars regressed in 2025. Offensively, it was all about a change in philosophy to help quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders wanted to better protect Daniels and go away from Kliff Kingsbury's no-huddle, fast-break offense.
Washington promoted 30-year-old David Blough to replace Kingsbury, which may be risky to some on the outside, but the Commanders believe he's a superstar in waiting. Defensively, they replaced Whitt with Daronte Jones, the Minnesota Vikings' secondary coach. Jones is also viewed as a rising coaching star, and it was only a matter of time until he received his first NFL coordinator gig.
Some would say the pressure is now on Quinn to win in 2026. That's probably true. Is he potentially on the hot seat if Washington gets off to a slow start?
NFL insider Jason La Canfora, from Sportsboom, not only thinks the clock is ticking on Quinn, but that the Commanders have a potential replacement in mind: former Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
"Keep an eye on Sean McDermott there next year," one longtime NFL personnel executive told La Canfora. "Just remember who told you first."
It's worth noting that this isn't La Canfora saying the Commanders are eyeing McDermott, but it's what one NFL executive told him.
La Canfora wrote this:
While that is often true, Quinn made these changes. He wasn't told to move on from Kingsbury. Once he replaced Whitt as the defensive playcaller during the season, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be replaced.
The Commanders just completed minicamp. The vibes surrounding the team are high heading into training camp, with GM Adam Peters having completely revamped the defense and Daniels and Terry McLaurin healthy. While Quinn may not be on the hot seat now, a slow start to the season may turn the heat up.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Do they have replacement lined up for Quinn?
Continue reading...
Washington went from 12-5 to 5-12. Quinn replaced both coordinators after the season. When a coach moves on from both his offensive and defensive coordinators after only two seasons, conventional wisdom says he's on the hot seat. He wasn't. For as bad as last season went for the Commanders, Quinn was never in danger of being replaced.
As for the coordinator moves, he had no choice but to fire defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Washington's defensive personnel was an issue, so were injuries, but Whitt looked overmatched in the role. Additionally, several 2024 stars regressed in 2025. Offensively, it was all about a change in philosophy to help quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders wanted to better protect Daniels and go away from Kliff Kingsbury's no-huddle, fast-break offense.
Washington promoted 30-year-old David Blough to replace Kingsbury, which may be risky to some on the outside, but the Commanders believe he's a superstar in waiting. Defensively, they replaced Whitt with Daronte Jones, the Minnesota Vikings' secondary coach. Jones is also viewed as a rising coaching star, and it was only a matter of time until he received his first NFL coordinator gig.
Some would say the pressure is now on Quinn to win in 2026. That's probably true. Is he potentially on the hot seat if Washington gets off to a slow start?
NFL insider Jason La Canfora, from Sportsboom, not only thinks the clock is ticking on Quinn, but that the Commanders have a potential replacement in mind: former Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
"Keep an eye on Sean McDermott there next year," one longtime NFL personnel executive told La Canfora. "Just remember who told you first."
It's worth noting that this isn't La Canfora saying the Commanders are eyeing McDermott, but it's what one NFL executive told him.
La Canfora wrote this:
While that is often true, Quinn made these changes. He wasn't told to move on from Kingsbury. Once he replaced Whitt as the defensive playcaller during the season, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be replaced.
The Commanders just completed minicamp. The vibes surrounding the team are high heading into training camp, with GM Adam Peters having completely revamped the defense and Daniels and Terry McLaurin healthy. While Quinn may not be on the hot seat now, a slow start to the season may turn the heat up.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Do they have replacement lined up for Quinn?
Continue reading...
