Commanders' unthinkable worst-case scenario could cost Dan Quinn his job

"Dan Quinn has gone a little bit out of his comfort zone this offseason. He knew drastic measures were needed to help get the Washington Commanders back on track. And he took risks at both coordinator positions to give his team a fresher feel in keeping with the NFL's modern concepts. The Commanders had to do something. Going with two play-callers with no league experience is risky, of course. But there is genuine conviction behind the decisions,"

"Two years ago, the Washington Commanders made a surprising run to the NFC title game. This past season, their campaign was derailed by injuries and by a defense that simply couldn't find its way. Washington can only hope that it experiences better injury fortunes in 2026. Over the next few months, it absolutely must find ways to improve things on the defensive side of the ball."

"This bears even greater significance on defense. Washington's unit was nothing short of putrid throughout the 2025 campaign. Daronte Jones will bring the passion, aggression, and creative scheme that should enhance the group. And make no mistake; it has to go well. Quinn is a defensive-minded coach. Taking over play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. last season brought almost no improvements. He was impressed enough by Jones' vision to let him run the defense as he sees fit."

Dan Quinn embraced substantial change by hiring new coordinators and moving beyond his comfort zone to modernize the Washington Commanders' schemes. The Commanders hired inexperienced play-callers, a risky move intended to inject fresh concepts while general manager Adam Peters must supply suitable personnel. The defense collapsed in 2025, prompting the addition of Daronte Jones to install a more aggressive, creative scheme and improve pass-game coordination. Defensive improvement and healthier injury luck are prerequisites for the team's success in 2026. Defensive progress will strongly influence Quinn's job security, making immediate, measurable growth on defense essential.

Read at Riggo's Rag