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.
Commanders could sign Chauncey Golston
The Washington Commanders need to improve their options in the trenches. They had enough to get them into the final four, but these areas of the field were found wanting versus the NFL's elite more often than not.
This bears more significance on the edges. The Commanders took a big risk by trading both Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline. While the players acquired after were solid enough, Washington needs an explosive starter and improved depth in pursuit of getting over the hump.
Speculation is rampant about a bold splash for All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. While that couldn't be completely dismissed, general manager Adam Peters might be thinking more methodically. And after the outstanding progress under the new regime, there needs to be trust attached.
Chancey Golston is someone Dan Quinn knows well from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. He got plenty of reps in 2024, securing seven sacks and 37 total pressures according to Pro Football Focus. The former Iowa standout might not be the splashiest signing, but he could be an asset to the rotation.
Golston might not have lived up to his third-round billing as yet. However, he's still young enough to develop further under Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s guidance.
Commanders could sign Rico Dowdle
Adding to the running back room is something the Commanders should contemplate this offseason. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler did well overall, but their regression over the second half of 2024 became an ongoing frustration.
It would be surprising if Robinson and Ekeler weren't around next season. That cannot be guaranteed considering how ruthless Adam Peters' roster building has been so far. If better alternatives can be found, the front-office leader will pull the trigger.
Rico Dowdle is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys surged him atop their depth chart thanks to the failures of Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott. To say he capitalized on extended playing time would be an understatement.
Dowdle displayed the physicality, aggressiveness, vision, and contact balance that was hard not to love. The former South Carolina star also made his presence felt as a pass-catcher out of the backfield en route to 1,328 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.
After gaining 158 rushing yards in two games against the Commanders — coupled with his previous connection to Quinn and some coaches — he'll be on the radar. However, Peters could decide on a long-term option that will be cheaper on Day 2 of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Commanders could sign Brandin Cooks
Jayden Daniels is a superstar. He's the franchise-caliber presence the Washington Commanders desperately needed. Those in power must maximize his rookie contract and surround him with the improved weapons needed to excel further.
The Commanders have a legitimate No. 1 alpha in Terry McLaurin, who thrived with a consistent quarterback to secure second-team All-Pro honors. That won't be enough, especially considering the uncertain statuses of Noah Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Dyami Brown.
Brandin Cooks' powers are waning, but he could be a potential short-term option if the money works for all parties. Injuries haven't helped his cause in recent years, so this would be nothing more than a cheap, one-year deal considering his trajectory.
It's been three seasons since Cooks came anywhere close to the 1,000 receiving yards he attained with the Houston Texans in 2021. Asking him to be a No. 2 might be a stretch, but there's nothing to suggest he couldn't be a dependable complimentary piece in this scenario.
Dan Quinn and Cooks overlapped each other with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. This would be one of the more surprising of the options on this list, but the veteran might take a little less to join a legitimate contender. Giving him fewer responsibilities and picking his spots could also reap rewards if there is enough left in the tank.
Commanders could sign Jourdan Lewis
Trading for Marshon Lattimore didn't go according to plan. The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback came into the Commanders with a hamstring injury that he couldn't shake off. He never looked healthy, which brought performance inconsistencies despite two outstanding efforts against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.
The Commanders are confident Lattimore can return to the form of old with full health and an offseason to familiarize himself with the defensive scheme. Mike Sainristil looks like a long-term foundational piece following a sensational rookie campaign. That won't be enough if Washington wants to make defensive improvements.
Adding another productive cornerback is essential. The Commanders' window for another Super Bowl is open. That makes a veteran with proven capabilities more appealing than a rookie. Jourdan Lewis ticks those boxes and is a former associate of Dan Quinn's from their time in Dallas.
Lewis was one of the few shining lights on defense for the Cowboys in 2024. His 79.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 14th out of 223 qualifying cornerbacks. There were deficiencies against the run, but he'd be a nice option to put alongside Sainristil and Lattimore.
He's also got scheme and coaching familiarity. This would smooth the transition if the Commanders went down this route.
Commanders could sign Brock Hoffman
The Washington Commanders could be without one of their most dominant offensive linemen for most if not all of the 2025 season. General manager Adam Peters must pivot accordingly to find a comprehensive solution to this issue.
Sam Cosmi tore his ACL during Washington's sensational divisional-round triumph over the Detroit Lions. This was a body blow that quickly became sorely felt in their NFC Championship defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles. It'll be a long road back for the Texas product, so contingency plans must be formed.
Someone like Brock Hoffman could be an option for the Commanders. He's an early restricted free agent, so the Dallas Cowboys can take this option off the table with minimal fuss. If they're not entirely convinced and let the versatile interior presence test the market, that's when Washington could strike.
Hoffman has experience at right guard or the center position. He gave up just one sack from 515 snaps last season and his 68.9 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus represents another encouraging sign. The former undrafted free agent isn't a world-beater, but he'd be a dependable fill-in until Cosmi is ready to return.
The Commanders can't leave anything to chance in pursuit of providing Jayden Daniels with the protection needed. Whether it's Hoffman or someone else, upgrades to the starting unit and depth are crucial.
Commanders could sign Osa Odighizuwa
Washington's defensive line interior received some substantial draft and financial investments under the previous regime. The group hasn't lived up to their billing, which provides general manager Adam Peters with some difficult decisions during the offseason.
Johnny Newton flashed enough as a rookie to suggest more could be on the way. Daron Payne's contract looks hard to get off. That's not the case with Jonathan Allen, whose future is under a cloud with one year and no guaranteed money remaining on his deal.
If the Commanders decide more is needed, turning to Osa Odighizuwa in free agency wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. The interior force is reportedly well-liked by head coach Dan Quinn from their time together in Dallas. His 60 total pressures ranked third among qualifying defensive tackles — something Washington sorely lacked for long stretches in 2024.
Acquiring Odighizuwa won't be cheap. The former UCLA game-wrecker is projected to command an annual salary of $20.99 million on a three-year, $62.97 million deal in free agency according to Spotrac. That's on the pricey side and would almost certainly spell the end of Allen's time with the franchise.
Quinn knows what Odighizuwa brings to the table. The player would jump at the chance to reunite with his old defensive coordinator. Fans should keep a close eye on this one.