Dan Quinn learned some harsh lessons during his time as Atlanta Falcons head coach. When a second opportunity arrived with the Washington Commanders, the respected figure wanted to surround himself with people he trusted.
Quinn sought several coaches and players to smooth the transition. They knew his demands and embraced his coaching methods. They helped others buy-in and ensure the Commanders hit the ground running under his leadership.
What followed was nothing short of astonishing. The Commanders defied the odds to secure 12 regular-season wins. However, this was not a Cinderella story for Quinn. He wanted more.
This mentality enveloped the locker room during Washington's incredible culture shift. The Commanders went on the road to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions in the playoffs. They eventually fell short in the NFC Championship game, but this sleeping giant woke much sooner than anticipated.
The Commanders are an attractive destination again. Quinn's inspirational leadership is something players want to be a part of, especially those who've experienced it previously. That could lead to some more familiar faces joining the ranks throughout the upcoming recruitment period.
With this in mind, here are seven players who could reunite with Dan Quinn on the Commanders in 2025.
Players who could reunite with Dan Quinn on the Commanders in 2025
Commanders could sign Cooper Rush
Marcus Mariota did an outstanding job in 2024. The Washington Commanders knew they were drafting a quarterback with the No. 2 pick. They needed a dependable veteran to mentor their incoming rookie and step in at a moment's notice when needed.
Mariota did both with aplomb.
He was a strong support system for Jayden Daniels during his surge to superstardom. The former Oregon standout also played well when called upon, completing 77.3 percent of his passes for 364 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and an 87.9 QBR. He also rushed for 92 yards and one score.
Considering the projected weakness of this year's quarterback draft class, a situation could emerge where Mariota gets an offer to compete for a starting job elsewhere. Nobody could begrudge him that, so the Commanders must find a capable understudy to ensure no momentum is lost.
Cooper Rush enjoyed some decent efforts against the Commanders in recent years. He's accurate, mobile, and experienced. He's also familiar with Dan Quinn and boasts the savvyness to deploy Kliff Kingsbury's scheme effectively.
In an ideal world, Mariota will return. But his strong performances this season and exceptional leadership won't go unnoticed by others around the league.