The Washington Commanders have decided to keep faith with head coach Dan Quinn despite a brutal Week 5 tie with the New York Giants. But unless results improve soon, it seems inevitable that he will be made surplus to requirements at some stage.
The Commanders have been on a downward spiral since reaching the conference championship game in Year 1 of Quinn's tenure. Injuries can be blamed, but everyone gets them. Morale is low after a 1-3-1 start, and calls for change have been deafening among the fan base on social media after the latest debacle at Northwest Stadium.
Quinn is frustrated, and he was boiling with rage after an inexcusable lapse in awareness against the Giants. He's had some tough conversations with majority owner Josh Harris, but the respected figure is still confident that he can turn things around.
But he is also experienced enough to know what comes next if the Commanders don't build positive momentum over their remaining 12 games.
It might seem like a long way off, but pressure is already growing. And if Quinn is let go, here are eight potential candidates to replace him.
Early candidates to replace Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn in 2027
Commanders could hire Mike Tomlin
Let's get the biggest and most hyped name out of the way first.
Mike Tomlin's long run with the Pittsburgh Steelers ended after the 2025 campaign. He never had a losing record with the AFC North club, but achieving playoff success proved complicated in recent years.
Tomlin is doing a fantastic job as an analyst for NBC Sports, but when the 2027 head-coaching cycle begins, his name will be linked to almost every available job. And this could be the big splash Washington is looking for.
The Commanders would get a tone-setter, a culture builder, and someone who would earn respect immediately. At the same time, Tomlin is a defensive-minded head coach, and he's another retread. Washington might be looking for someone younger with an offensive background to help quarterback Jayden Daniels flourish.
Commanders could hire Declan Doyle
If the Commanders go down the offensive route, someone like Declan Doyle should be in the mix.
The Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator is a fast riser with a growing reputation in league circles. After one season working under Ben Johnson in Chicago, he got the chance to call plays under Jesse Minter. The results have been impressive so far.
Doyle is only 30, so this head-coaching cycle might be a little too soon. Even so, the Commanders might think they are getting ahead of the game, and tailoring an offense around Lamar Jackson would be similar to what Washington has in mind for Jayden Daniels moving forward.
It would be risky, but the rewards would be substantial if he seizes the opportunity.
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