Dan Quinn announces major decision that raises questions about Commanders’ future beyond 2025
Dan Quinn finally made a major move, but it won’t be the last.
The Washington Commanders needed a drastic change after another blowout loss at home to fall to 3-7 on the season, and it’s long overdue.
The defense has been the worst in the league over the last four weeks, but it’s been an issue since Week 2, and nothing has happened until now. Head coach Dan Quinn preached about fixing the defense, and the only change made was defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. coming down to the field to call plays.
As expected, nothing changed, and the Commanders’ defense got routed by the Detroit Lions. However, Quinn finally decided to make a needed change Monday, but it won’t be the last, and now there are more questions about the future.
Dan Quinn is taking over as the defensive coordinator
Less than 24 hours after allowing 546 total yards to the Lions, Quinn finally pulled the trigger and made an actual change for the first time this season.
We saw Lions head coach Dan Campbell take over play-calling duties on offense after the Lions struggled, and now Quinn will be doing the same for the Commanders, as he takes over as the team’s defensive coordinator, demoting Whitt Jr.
Quinn started the press conference today by announcing the much-needed move. He went into details of what that means and why it needed to be done.
“You know, when something’s not working, we shift from the question of why it’s not working to what do we need to do to get it right, and right now that’ll call for some change,” Quinn said. “And I’ll take over the role as the defensive coordinator, and all that entails. Joe [Whitt Jr.] has been my right-hand man for years, and he took the news like the pro he is. But the defensive staff, including Joe, we are all consumed by getting it right, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
Just to clarify, Quinn is taking over as defensive coordinator, but Whitt Jr. has not been fired. This is a move in the direction of the inevitable happening after the season, but for now, Whitt Jr. remains and goes right back into the press box after just one game on the field.
“So Joe will be involved all week,” Quinn added. “Obviously, with the rest of the staff, and, you know, planning and getting ready for the game, and then on game day, he’ll be in the press box, and, you know, with the vision on the coverage and the things that we need to do. So, like I said, I’m fortunate that we’ve been in that battle rhythm together during our time together in Dallas, and so we’re going to try to slip into that spot, you know, as quickly as we can.”
What does this mean for the Commanders’ future?
This move to take over as defensive coordinator means that Whitt Jr. will not be back next season. You don’t demote somebody just to elevate them again after the season. Quinn knew that eyes were on him now more than ever, and a change needed to happen, but it won’t be the final move.
Quinn was taking a lot of heat lately, especially after the decision to leave Jayden Daniels in the game before he got hurt, and the lack of changes on defense to protect his guy.
He was just as much to blame for the results we’ve been seeing lately, and something needed to change. However, this raises questions about the future of the coaching staff. The final seven games of the season will be crucial in determining what changes are made this offseason or before.
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