Something needed to be done. Dan Quinn probably didn't like it, but it was the only viable option remaining for the Washington Commanders' head coach.
After watching the Commanders get rolled over by the Detroit Lions offense, Quinn felt there was no option other than to take over defensive play-calling responsibilities from coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. He'll still be on the staff. Still, he'll be watching from the booth rather than forming the strategy.
This was well-received mainly among the fan base. They became sick and tired of watching Whitt's product. Injuries haven't helped, but something was missing. The spark had gone, and now Quinn is looking to get it back in some capacity.
Quinn is an exceptional defensive mind. He led the legendary Legion of Boom defense that spearheaded the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl. While the talent level in Washington is nowhere close to that, there is nothing to suggest he cannot get more out of the options available.
Being tentative is not an option. Quinn must be bold and try everything to improve. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who could thrive as the head coach gets to work on reshaping Washington's defense over the next seven games.
Commanders players set to thrive as Dan Quinn reshapes Washington’s defense
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
The Washington Commanders have to get younger on defense (and everywhere else). They aren't playing for much other than pride the rest of the way, so head coach Dan Quinn's primary objective should be seeing what his fledgling stars can do with more responsibilities on their shoulders.
Although he remains raw, linebacker Jordan Magee should be installed into the starting lineup from here on. He remains a little rough around the edges, but allowing him to play with a sense of freedom, unafraid to make mistakes, and putting his exceptional athleticism to good use would be a good place to start.
Magee remains a little naive in a positional sense. He's almost too eager to make plays, rather than letting things develop in front of him. Harnessing this enthusiasm was difficult for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Still, Quinn's experience with players who have boasted his physical attributes in the past should help him get more out of the former Temple standout.
If it doesn't work out, the Commanders will have their answer about Magee's long-term aspirations. But standing pat at the defensive second level is not an option as Washington continues to be soft in the middle.
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Much has been made of the Washington Commanders' demise, which has primarily centered on aging players past their prime. However, the regression of potential long-term pieces hasn't helped their cause either.
The Commanders didn't have many cornerstone defensive players. Mike Sainristil looked like a potential superstar as a rookie, but the cornerback is finding it challenging to meet these expectations this time around.
Sainristil's been switched around a lot in Year 2. This stunted his rhythm, so finding some middle ground where he is best suited might be the smart way to go from Dan Quinn's perspective.
The head coach revealed that Sainristil is overcommitting. He is too eager to gain turnovers rather than focusing on discipline. His interception numbers are up, but so is the volume of explosive plays he's conceding.
That has to change, and it starts by switching Sainristil back to the boundary. He came into the league as a nickel option, but moving to the outside in 2024 saw the defensive back take his game to new heights. The Commanders should go back to that, and in all honesty, they don't have much of a choice.
Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos — Washington's starting outside options — are both out for the season. Quinn will never get a better chance to see what Sainristil can do from the alpha role against the NFL's best.
Tyler Owens - Commanders S
Dan Quinn's iconic defenses with the Seattle Seahawks always featured physical, hard-hitting safeties who set the tone with impactful plays, supreme organization, and a never-say-die attitude. The Commanders don't have a Kam Chancellor or Earl Thomas, but the head coach might have an extra card or two to play yet.
From a pure athleticism standpoint, Tyler Owens fits the mold of what Quinn seeks in his defenders on the backend. His size, explosiveness, and quickness should be utilized more, especially considering the struggles that players such as Quan Martin and Jeremy Reaves are going through. And the Commanders need to adopt different methods, because whatever Joe Whitt Jr. has tried so far just hasn't worked.
Much like Jordan Magee, Owens is raw. His production on the field has never matched his athletic attributes. This is about harnessing his gifts positively in a way that benefits the team, and the only way he is going to get better at this stage is by logging defensive reps in a competitive setting.
Owens has carved out an impressive niche for himself as a special-teams ace, but the Commanders need to find ways to get him on the defensive rotation with more frequency. Letting him become impactful at the defensive second level in a similar way to how Jeremy Chinn was deployed last season could be worth its weight in gold.
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
One of the biggest underachievers this season is Frankie Luvu. The ferocious linebacker took the Washington Commanders by storm last season, forming a highly productive partnership with future first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner that spearheaded a remarkable culture shift.
Luvu earned second-team All-Pro honors in his first season with the Commanders. He was seen as a possible long-term cornerstone piece, but a shift in responsibilities has significantly diminished the Washington State product's influence.
With so many injuries on the defensive front, Luvu is spending more time as an edge rusher. It's been a mixed bag, and it's also made the player more hesitant in an uncomfortable role. That cannot be the case moving forward.
Dan Quinn must return Luvu to the position he knows best. He's got proven credentials as a forceful off-ball linebacker, using his dynamism and instincts to make plays consistently. That has gotten lost this season, and the Commanders are suffering greatly.
This would leave the Commanders even shorter of pass-rushing options on the edge, but it's not like they are generating consistent pressure even with Luvu helping out. Quinn needs to return to basics, so returning him to his second-level responsibilities should be enough to reignite the spark within.
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
The Commanders thought they got a steal when Johnny Newton slipped through the cracks and into their lap at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. But almost two years into his professional career, the interior defensive lineman remains something of an enigma.
Newton's flashes indicate there is something to work with. The former Illinois standout lacks the play strength to be impactful against the run, which has restricted his involvement. Adding more play strength and technical soundness are the best ways to continue his development, and Dan Quinn must also find better ways to put his athletic skills to good use in the meantime.
Switching alignments — using Newton as a 3-4 defensive end or a 3-technique in obvious pass-rushing situations — could be beneficial. Maybe begin to utilize the second-year pro as a 4-3 defensive end moving forward, depending on the situation.
Nothing should be off the table. With Daron Payne suspended for Washington's international game against the Miami Dolphins after throwing a punch at Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, this would be a good time to experiment with Newton.
He might be nothing more than a rotational piece, but adding more strings to Newton's bow is only going to assist his early development.