What was the most excited reactions from Washington Commanders loyalists today when they heard the news that Dan Quinn was going to be their new head coach? I’d plum for something like, “…Cool?” or, “Alright!” with a confused countenance.
Ex-Warriors GM Bob Myers was brought in to help with the Commanders’ search for the next fearless leader of one of the worst organizations in all of professional sports. Myers should know what the right leader looks like from being around that NBA dynasty with Golden State. Washington’s Josh Harris-led ownership group is looking to usher in a new era and make a big splash, which should be feasible with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft alone.
Having said all of that, there was a chance to make a big, electrifying move here with this decision. And the Commies went with…Dan Quinn?
Not to say that Quinn isn’t a good football coach. He had some real success in Atlanta. Even led the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance where they were up 28-3 before Tom Brady struck. It’s also a bit of an edge for Washington to nab Quinn away from the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys. His schematic acumen should give the Commanders a bit of a leg up on Cowboys coach/play-caller Mike McCarthy.
But I literally sat here for an hour trying to formulate a strong take or opinion on Quinn filling the league’s last head coaching vacancy. It’s still kinda more or less, “MEH” — especially when intel like this is floating around for all the Internet to see.
Not that I think hiring Bill Belichick is for everyone, nor would I be super jazzed if he brought Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator given his disastrous stints as head coach. It’s just a little surprising is all. Belichick may not have wanted to give up final say over personnel to new Commanders GM Adam Peters, but since Peters was hired first, you’d assume it’d be a more collaborative approach than The Hoodie is used to.
If nothing else, Belichick would’ve galvanized Washington’s fan base. Dan Quinn doesn’t bring that sort of juice. Maybe that’s a good thing? Maybe it’s better to keep expectations in check as the Commanders (likely) break in a new franchise quarterback — sorry, Sam Howell stans — and Quinn overhauls a defense that’s in shambles. I really don’t know.
Happened to stumble upon a thread of comments where Twitter folk were grading Washington’s hiring of Quinn. My gauge on the situation before even seeing these turned out to be quite accurate.
…Yeah. Not the best look. I agree with the prevailing notion that this has Ron Rivera vibes. Would’ve liked to go with an offensive-minded guy if you’re going to draft at QB with the No. 2 pick, but hey, that’s just me. Or it’s not just me, I guess? You know what I mean.
It doesn’t help that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson opted to stay loyal to Dan Campbell. Johnson was widely viewed as the leading candidate for the Commanders’ job. Texans OC Bobby Slowik didn’t want to leavea great situation with DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud in Houston, either.
Looking around the NFL, I guess there weren’t many great offensive guys left by the time the Commanders made their decision on Quinn. However, if I were going with a defensive coordinator, I’d have thrown the bag at Ejiro Evero. Unless I’m tripping up, they didn’t even speak to him.
The head coaches Evero has worked under for the longest in the NFL are as follows: Jim Harbaugh and Sean McVay. Evero helped the Carolina Panthers finish fourth in total yards allowed. This was a 2-15 team with a horrendous offense that gave up fewer total yards than the 49ers and the Ravens — and fewer passing yards than the Chiefs.
Remember how bad the Broncos were in 2022 under current brainiac Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett? Evero was the DC there when Denver had the NFL’s worst scoring offense. During the first 12 games of that season, Evero’s defense yielded more than 17 points in regulation only once. The Broncos’ record in that span was 3-9.
In each of his past two seasons, this man has coached up top-flight defenses while watching his head coaches not even make it through their first full season with the team. Despite earning second head coaching interviews with the Falcons and Seahawks, Evero will likely settle for another year as Panthers DC under new coach Dave Canales.
Best of luck to Dan Quinn in Washington. I hope it works out for the Commanders. It’d be nice to see some new blood rise up in the NFC East. The Giants were a fluky one-year wonder whose coach Brian Daboll is a raving lunatic behind the scenes (reportedly). Dallas chokes every single year in the playoffs and is less interesting to me with each passing year. Then you have the Eagles, who passed up a loaded head coaching cycle in favor of sticking with Nick Sirianni. Their defense was a straight-up wreck by season’s end, too.
There’s a real opportunity for the Commies to turn it around fast as long as the Quinn and Peters can get the right QB/OC combo in place. With the widespread assumption that Caleb Williams goes first to the Bears, it’s probably between UNC’s Drake Maye and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU. I’d go Daniels. Many expect the Commanders to go with Maye. Let the debate continue!
