Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn earned a distinction from ESPN as the tenth-best hire of the last five NFL head coaching hiring cycles. In addition, the writer, Bill Barnwell, believes that Quinn deserves a longer tenure. In his two seasons at the helm, Quinn has led Washington to a 17-17 regular-season record.
Additionally, he sports a 2-1 playoff record. Of the last 37 hires, ranging over five years, the writer ranks him in the top third of Quinn’s fellow hires, writing:
“What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Quinn was fresh off a trip to the NFC Championship Game, having won as many playoff games in his first season with the Commanders. Things have changed. Daniels struggled through an injury-filled 2025, but Quinn’s defense completely collapsed in Year 2.”
“The Commanders ranked 30th in EPA per play and points allowed per drive, as they were easily stretched by any offense with a pulse. Quinn deserves more time to prove that 2025 was an anomaly…”
In 2024, the Commanders finished second in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles. With quarterback Jayden Daniels engineering four game-winning drives, bringing the team to a 12-5 record and two playoff wins, including a road upset over the favored Detroit Lions. Daniels ran an efficient offense that marched down the field.
GettyWashington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn during an October 27, 25 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The team scored 485 points, the most since their 1991 Super Bowl-winning season. Washington’s defense missed 130 tackles, ranking second in the league.
Quinn Faces Defining Season After After Rough 2025
After the playoff run, many expected the Commanders to return to the postseason. Between injuries to Daniels, among others, and defensive lapses that resulted in 26.5 points per game. Washington surrendered the most yards in the league in 2025. Nothing appeared to break right for the team. In what appeared to be smaller mistakes and struggles, broader issues emerged.
Quinn Rolls the Dice to Potentially Save Job
If Quinn receives more time, as Barnwell asserts, then his shake-up of the coordinators could play a vital role. The team parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Quinn hired quarterbacks coach David Blough to run the offense.
Blough, a 30-year-old, three years removed from his role as an active backup quarterback takes a big career leap. As a result, he must figure out how to add his own spin to an offense that looks like a mix of young talent and veteran players.
GettyWashington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn duiing a game against the Detroit Lions.
On the other side, Daronte Jones steps into the defensive coordinator role after serving under Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. If Jones adopts the same approach on his side of the ball as his mentor, the Commanders will look to attack the ball, becoming less passive and more aggressively hunting big plays.
The Commanders’ trek through the NFC East will once again not be an easy one. The Philadelphia Eagles, a year removed from the Super Bowl, are currently dealing with internal strife. On top of that, Dallas looks to turn their sizable compensation from trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay into starters.
The Cowboys have two first-round picks and face questions about the potential signing of wideout George Pickens. Meanwhile, the New York Giants welcomed John Harbaugh to the team. With young players in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, Harbaugh could rely on athleticism over scheme-specific experience to compete.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Commanders HC Dan Quinn”Deserves More Time”: ESPN Insider appeared first on Heavy Sports.