The Commanders’ chances of losing a top assistant coach, but earning two compensatory picks just went up
Commanders running game coordinator Anthony Lynn had another surprising head coaching interview with the Browns, and he could be headed out of Washington.
The Washington Commanders are looking for their next defensive coordinator, but they may also need to fill another position if they lose a top assistant coach soon.
The Commanders have already promoted David Blough to offensive coordinator. He will be running an offense for the first time in his career as a young, up-and-coming coach. Keeping as many experienced coaches on offense will be key to having success with a young offense next year.
Running game coordinator Anthony Lynn has been a hot name this offseason, and he landed another head coaching interview in the AFC, which could be a big loss for the Commanders, but brings a reward as well.
Anthony Lynn interviews for the Cleveland Browns head coaching position
Lynn has already landed on the Buffalo Bills’ radar as a potential head coaching candidate, and now the Cleveland Browns also interviewed him for their own opening.
The Browns do have a close connection to Lynn, with former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco working as a consultant for their search. Telesco was the Chargers’ general manager when Lynn served as head coach from 2017 to 2020.
The Browns have struck out on multiple head coaching candidates and may elect to go the CEO/head coach route with Lynn, keeping Jim Schwartz around as the defensive coordinator. It would be a big loss for the Commanders’ coaching staff, but it would also come with an instant reward that may be worth it.
Commanders would be awarded two compensatory picks if Anthony Lynn is hired as a head coach
The Commanders’ coaching staff would be getting much younger on offense, but they would also be rewarded with two third-round picks in the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. The NFL’s Rooney Rule rewards two third-round picks to a team that loses a minority assistant coach to another team as a head coach hire.
This is obviously very notable, considering the Commanders have only six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and only two in the top 75 without a second- or fourth-round pick. There are now two possible landing destinations for Lynn to leave as a head coach, so the chances are higher than ever, and it would be a blessing in disguise to be rewarded with those two picks.
They would have to find a new running game coordinator, however, which is a small task for their current coaching search.