Latest NFL coaching domino throws a major wrench in the Commanders’ search for a new defensive coordinator
The Commanders may have to pivot after the Falcons plan to keep Jeff Ulbrich, who was one of their top defensive coordinator candidates.
The Washington Commanders wasted no time promoting David Blough as the new offensive coordinator, but their search for a new defensive coordinator is taking much longer.
Head coach Dan Quinn finally moved on from Joe Whitt Jr, and now he needs to make a key hire to save his job in Washington. They’ve been linked to multiple candidates, and interviewed many of them, but one of their top candidates might not even become available after the latest coaching domino.
The Atlanta Falcons hired Kevin Stefaski as their next head coach, and he might just keep Jeff Ulbrich as the defensive coordinator, who was a top option for the Commanders.
Kevin Stefanski is likely keeping Jeff Ublrich, which ruins the Commanders’ plans
The Commanders’ search for a defensive coordinator has taken a while, and understandably, with so many more head coaching positions to be filled, and top teams still playing in the playoffs. The latest domino to fall could speed up their process now that they know Ulbirch is very likely off the table, with Stefanski reportedly keeping him as the defensive coordinator in Atlanta.
Ulbrich was one of, if not the top target for the Commanders in their defensive coordinator search, according to ESPN’s John Keim, and could be a big domino that forces them move on elsewhere in their search.
This would also mean that the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, would be available, but he’s also having a second interview with the team for the head coach position, and he would be a hot commodity for any team that needs a defensive coordinator.
Where do the Commanders go from here?
The Commanders have already interviewed several top candidates, such as Brian Flores, Karl Scott, and Jonathan Gannon, and that’s who they need to focus on. Of course, Raheem Morris will be linked to them as well, but we haven’t even heard about an interview with him yet, and the Commanders can miss out if they wait too long for someone they won’t even land. The best-case scenario would be to go all-in on Flores and show him that he’s the top candidate instead of waiting another week for Scott, who is still in the playoffs with the Seattle Seahawks, demolishing the San Francisco 49ers.
Gannon seems like an easy hire if they offered him the position, but there aren’t many other options outside of those three that would move the needle for one of the worst defenses in the league. Waiting too long could hurt the Commanders, and now that Ulbrich is off the board, they need to narrow down their options and go all-in on a candidate. Flores could be offered a head coaching position, so they need to be aggressive if there’s an actual chance of landing him in Washington. He has a second interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming up, and it would be a huge disappointment to miss out on him after interviewing him already.
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