The Washington Commanders' searches for both their next offensive and defensive coordinators are underway. One name has already been revealed as a potential candidate for the latter.
Ideally, one would think Dan Quinn would target a proven defensive mind with prior head-coaching experience. Recently fired Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris immediately comes to mind, especially since the two worked together from 2015 to 2020.
Instead, they've requested to interview Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Commanders are interested in the defensive coordinator from the NFL's worst team
Anytime you have the opportunity to swipe a defensive coordinator with seven years of experience to prove he's not very good, you've just got to take it. That's what the Commanders would be getting in Graham, whose profile across tenures with the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and the Raiders is underwhelming to say the least.
In his seven seasons, Graham's defenses have ranked 23rd or worse in points allowed five times. They've ranked in the top half of the league in takeaways only twice. And most concerningly, his teams have gone a combined 36-81, never finishing above .500.
In fairness, Graham has coordinated some pretty bad rosters. The 2019 Dolphins were actively trying to tank. The Giants have been a mess for the better part of the last decade, and the Raiders for even longer than that. But he also hasn't done anything to elevate his units, which doesn't inspire much confidence that he would pan out in Washington.
Of course, he is just one of many names being floated for the position. The Commanders should conduct a thorough search of anybody they have reason to believe will be available, and they likely will.
They're competing against at least seven teams with head coach openings who, by extension, will need to fill the rest of their staff, and several more with defensive coordinator vacancies. They know they might need multiple backup plans.
All in all, this is probably nothing, and it would be an absolute stunner if Graham is the choice. Still, it goes without saying that Washington needs to aim much higher.
Even if the Commanders can't get their top candidate, this would be an unserious move of epic proportions.
It's absolutely imperative that Washington gets both of its coordinator hires right, and Graham isn't one of them. Let's try again.