In a surprising move, Dan Quinn, who had been leading the Dallas Cowboys defense for three seasons, has now taken on the role of head coach for the Washington Commanders in the NFC East.
Under the ownership of Josh Harris, the Commanders underwent significant changes during the offseason, ultimately selecting Quinn to lead the team after parting ways with former head coach Ron Rivera.
Quinn was highly sought after during the recent hiring cycle, but ultimately chose Washington, a team that possesses promising young talent on both sides of the field.
While the Commanders will need to make moves in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft to provide Quinn with more skilled players to develop, the team’s future direction is clear.
Former quarterback Matt Ryan, who had the opportunity to work closely with Quinn during their time together in Atlanta, shared his positive thoughts on the hiring in an interview with Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.
According to Ryan, “Dan is an exceptional coach. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him in Atlanta. I believe the Commanders are getting someone who brings tremendous energy every single day.”
Ryan’s sentiments regarding Dan Quinn and the Commanders’ acquisition of him can be seen in the following tweet: [insert tweet]
Having spent several years together with the Atlanta Falcons and coming close to winning a Super Bowl, Ryan and Quinn share a strong connection.
Despite being slightly older, Quinn possesses a vibrant energy and is highly respected by both coaches and players for his effective communication and teaching skills.
Furthermore, Quinn has proven to be an exceptional defensive strategist, as demonstrated by Dallas’ impressive defensive performance during the 2023 NFL season.
While it may take some time before Washington becomes a contender in the postseason, the addition of Quinn as head coach allows the franchise to begin establishing a new identity.