After another woefully inept campaign from the Washington Commanders' defense, head coach Dan Quinn has taken matters into his own hands. He is taking over, which places Joe Whitt Jr.'s future in severe doubt beyond the season.
The Commanders are in the midst of a lost year, but Quinn couldn't let things continue as they were. They are in complete free fall, and their capitulation against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 once again exposed glaring weaknesses that haven't been rectified.
One can point to Adam Peters' recruitment or the players failing to meet expectations, but the coordinator is the first person to carry the can. Quinn could see what was unfolding. He also thought a change in approach could provide the spark needed for improvements.
Quinn is a highly respected defensive mind. However, he prefers his coordinators to run things while he takes a more management role. That's had to change for the good of the team, but it's not a method he'll want to sustain next time around.
The chances of Whitt being the coordinator next season are remote. He's gone from gaining head coaching interest from the New York Jets to being an innocent bystander on game days. Quinn didn't fire him outright during the season, given his respect and loyalty. But make no mistake, a fresh approach is needed next time around.
With this in mind, here are seven early options Quinn could target for Washington's next defensive coordinator in 2026.
Early options to replace Joe Whitt as Commanders defensive coordinator
Commanders could hire Clint McMillan
Dan Quinn is known for hiring people he's worked with previously. However, there will never be a better time for the Washington Commanders to generate some positive momentum by thinking outside the box. That's why a young, progressive coach should be considered if Joe Whitt Jr. is made surplus to requirements.
If this scenario comes to fruition, the Commanders could do far worse than examine Clint McMillan's credentials in greater detail. He's a Mike Vrabel disciple who is currently the New England Patriots' defensive line coach. He's played a leading role in turning their front into a dominant force, especially against the run, despite having to mold several new faces into a cohesive unit quickly.
McMillan is well respected in league circles. He was part of the legendary national title team at Florida under Urban Meyer before beginning his coaching journey. He started at the high school level, gaining college jobs before propelling himself into the NFL.
This upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing, making McMillan a potentially hot name in the coordinator hiring cycle next year.
Commanders could hire Karl Scott
If the Washington Commanders are looking for a coach who can provide stability and experience while also bringing progressive ideas typically associated with most coordinators around the NFL, Karl Scott is another name worth considering.
Scott is a mainstay with the Seattle Seahawks who was retained by head coach Mike Macdonald before the 2024 campaign. His success as the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach is renowned and revered in equal measure. He was also responsible for developing a pipeline of NFL talent during his time coaching defensive backs at Alabama before joining the NFL.
Macdonald is a respected defensive mind who earned a head coaching job for his work with the Baltimore Ravens. He saw something in Scott, and others will probably have him on the shortlist if he's ambitious enough to consider coordinator gigs during the offseason.
Commanders could hire Jim Leonhard
There is no denying that Jim Leonhard is on course to become a defensive coordinator in the near future. Whether he takes the plunge this offseason is anyone's guess, but the Denver Broncos' decision to promote him this year is a notable sign of his immense influence behind the scenes.
Leonard now holds the title of defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach. Working closely with the likes of Sean Payton and Vance Joseph is invaluable experience, should he harbor loftier ambitions in the coming years. The Broncos won't want to lose him, especially considering the fine work he's doing with their outstanding secondary, but there is nothing they can do if a team like the Commanders comes calling.
The 10-year coach is a high-end motivator. He reportedly turned down three offers to become a coordinator elsewhere to remain in Denver last season. Whether he'd do the same this time around is another matter.
Commanders could hire Jonathan Gannon
Of course, there could be some options available for the Commanders who currently hold head coaching positions around the NFL. Brian Daboll has already been fired by the New York Giants, as has Brian Callahan with the Tennessee Titans. And there will be more as seats heat up before the business end of the campaign.
A few who'll be nervously looking over their shoulders have accomplished defensive credentials. One such example is Jonathan Gannon, whose Arizona Cardinals team has fallen way short of the mark in the ultra-competitive NFC West this season.
Speculation is already rife in the media about Gannon being replaced at season's end. Whether the Cardinals pull the trigger on this experiment is highly debatable. Still, his previous success as a defensive coordinator could see a fast-track back into employment if he's let go.
Gannon's sterling work with the Philadelphia Eagles got him a head coaching gig. The Commanders should be first in line if he gets the chop.
Commanders could hire Al Harris
As previously mentioned, head coach Dan Quinn likes to hire people he's worked with previously. The Washington Commanders know that full well, with several coaches joining him from the Dallas Cowboys when he took the plunge from one NFC East team to another.
One name fans wanted to see join Quinn but didn't was Al Harris. The Cowboys made him a huge offer to stick around, which he accepted. But with a change in coaching strategy last spring, the progressive young coach was forced to take his chances elsewhere.
Harris wasn't out of work for long. The former All-Pro cornerback joined the Chicago Bears as defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach. He's brought an immediate turnaround in their fortunes, which puts his name back in the coordinator conversation in 2026.
If Quinn wants to keep some familiarity with someone who commands instant respect in the locker room, Harris could be the guy.
Commanders could hire Jonathan Cooley
Another who generated interest for defensive coordinator positions last year, Jonathan Cooley, has done nothing but enhance his reputation this season with the Carolina Panthers. Their defense has shown remarkable improvement from the historically bad 2024 output, and he'll be a coveted name if the same trend continues.
Cooley earned his stripes with the Los Angeles Rams as defensive backs coach. Ejiro Evero wasted no time bringing him to Carolina, and his work with players like Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. has drawn significant praise.
The Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed Cooley last season. Others were also rumored to be interested, but nothing concrete emerged. He's developing well under the watchful eyes of Evero and Dom Capers, so it might be worth the Commanders putting in an interview request to see what he could bring to the role.
And there is just no telling what that would do for gifted young defensive backs such as Mike Sainristil and second-round rookie Trey Amos.
Commanders could hire Raheem Morris
Another current head coach who could be looking for alternative employment this offseason is no stranger to Washington fans.
Raheem Morris was the team's defensive backs coach from 2012 to 14 on the Mike Shanahan staff that nurtured several head coaches. He has gone on to achieve great things ever since, which include two head coaching stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, currently, the Atlanta Falcons.
Big things were expected of the Falcons this season. However, things have not gone according to plan, and they are currently on a four-game losing run with far more questions than answers about their current direction.
They were more competitive against the Indianapolis Colts, but there is just no telling what Falcons owner Arthur Blank will do if their losing run continues. If Morris is let go by Atlanta, his accomplishments as a defensive coordinator arguably make him the top choice for a Commanders team crying out for inspiration.