Dan Quinn takes advantage of head coaching change, plus two other familiar defensive coordinator candidates for Commanders
The Commanders could very likely land one of these three candidates as the next defensive coordinator.
The Washington Commanders are off this week as they finally hit a much-needed bye with a 3-8 record, but the work doesn’t stop.
Dan Quinn has already made coaching and roster changes after releasing Matt Gay, and we saw an improved defense after he took over as the defensive coordinator. Quinn won’t be the defensive coordinator, however, and he needs to find his next guy.
We already know Quinn loves working with guys he knows, especially on defense, and that was a big reason he brought Joe Whitt Jr. with him from the Dallas Cowboys. If Quinn decides to stick with his coaching tree, there are three possible candidates to keep an eye on.
Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris
It’s been a disaster of a season for the Atlanta Falcons, and the writing could be on the wall for Raheem Morris. His seat has been hot for a while now, and it could get even hotter when the season ends. They just lost quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, and he might not be ready by the time the season starts next year. The Falcons are 3-7, don’t see many more wins in sight this season, and their first-round pick is going to the Los Angeles Rams.
If Morris is fired, Quinn will probably be on the phone within the hour to get him an interview. The two worked together in Atlanta from 2015 to 2020, and Morris took over as the interim head coach after the Falcons fired Quinn. Morris is a much better defensive coordinator than a head coach, and he’s proven that in the past by winning a Super Bowl with the Rams.
Chicago Bears DB coach Al Harris
Al Harris has left his mark on defenses over the last few seasons, including his time with the Dallas Cowboys with Quinn. We saw the Cowboys’ secondary create a ton of turnovers in 2024 with 13 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles. Harris was with Quinn from 2021-2023, and honestly should’ve been the top choice for defensive coordinator over Joe Whitt Jr. when Quinn first arrived in Washington. Instead, Harris went to the Chicago Bears, and he’s doing the same thing there.
The Bears already have 15 interceptions and eight forced fumbles under Harris, their defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator. The three top interception leaders in the league play for the Bears, as Kevin Byard has five, Nashon Wright has four, and Tremaine Edmunds has four as well. Harris deserves a defensive coordinator job, and the Commanders need turnovers because they’ve been missing all season.
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich
Jeff Ulbrich is another coach who was with Quinn from 2015 to 2020 in Atlanta, before he re-joined the Falcons this season with Morris. Remember, a coach can’t make a lateral move to another team; it has to be a promotion of some kind, so Ulbrich would have to be fired for this to happen, which is likely if Morris goes. The Falcons’ front office will likely clean house, and whoever they hire as head coach next would bring in his own staff.
Ulbrich has improved the Falcons’ defense this season, and they rank sixth in passing defense, allowing only 188 yards per game. The Falcons only had 32 sacks, 12 interceptions, and 12 fumbles last season, and they already have 34 sacks, eight interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles with seven games left. Ulbrich is only 48 and has a great track record as a players’ coach with his background as a former NFL linebacker.
Washington Commanders News
Washington Commanders 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jayden Daniels gets a playmaker and rebuild continues on defense
Adam Peters makes the most of every pick in this 2026 Commanders mock draft.
