Commanders have one clear competitor who could ruin their defensive coordinator search again
The Commanders need to lock in Al Harris after his interview because the Packers have a strong case on why they could land him first.
The Washington Commanders continue their search for the next defensive coordinator under head coach Dan Quinn, and it might take yet another turn if they can’t land one target.
After missing out on Brian Flores, who decided to stay with the Minnesota Vikings, Quinn had to pivot and continue pushing forward. Quinn expanded the search by looking back at his past and reaching out to a familiar face that everyone expected to be a target for the Commanders.
The Commanders are set to interview Chicago Bears defensive passing game coordinator Al Harris, but there’s another team that is looking to steal him away.
The Commanders will have to compete against the Packers for Al Harris
Quinn is set to interview his former defensive backs coach, Al Harris, and their connection will have to be strong enough to convince him to come to Washington over the Green Bay Packers. The Packers lost their defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, to the Miami Dolphins, and they need to land a strong hire and keep the defense going. Harris already interviewed with the Packers on Wednesday, and now he heads to Washington for his next interview.
There are many reasons, both past and present, why Harris would pick the Packers over the Commanders, and some of them are out of their control.
Al Harris’ peak playing career was with the Green Bay Packers
A lot of people forget that Harris was a lockdown corner in the NFL for several years, and the peak of his career was with the Packers from 2003 to 2010. He was selected to the 2nd Team All-Pro honors in 2007, and a Pro Bowler in 2007 and 2008. Harris was also inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2021, so he has very deep ties to the organization.
Green Bay Vs Seattle Seahawks Al Harris 1 Of 3© Tom Lynn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The Packers are the better team right now
From a coaching standpoint, the Packers are the more intriguing team with Matt LaFleur getting a contract extension, while Quinn could very likely be on the hot seat in 2026. From a roster standpoint, it’s even worse for the Commanders. The Packers have the clear better talent with Micah Parsons, Xavier McKinney, Edgerrin Cooper, Devonte Wyatt, and many other cornerstone players, while the Commanders lack a lot of talent. The Commanders are several offseasons away from solidifying every starting spot on defense, and Harris could work with a much better roster in Green Bay, while the Commanders navigate through retiring veterans and struggling youth.
Quinn needs to be aggressive if Harris is his guy, and sell him on bringing the best of the roster, and giving him control of the defense with his guidance as a first-time defensive coordinator and play-caller. Harris wouldn’t get that easier transition with the Packers with LaFleur being an offense-minded head coach.