The Washington Commanders' decision to fire defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. seemed like a foregone conclusion from the moment head coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling duties before their international game against the Miami Dolphins. It perhaps took a little longer than fans expected, but the outcome was inevitable.
Whitt was given his marching orders by Quinn after the campaign, as was offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. This is a seismic shift in his unrivaled quest to turn things around, and Quinn will pay the price with his job if it doesn't reap the required rewards.
Most don't believe Quinn is done making changes. And there is one obvious candidate who could be next on the chopping block now that Whitt's fate has been sealed.
Commanders shouldn't be done making changes on the defensive coaching staff
One of the most disappointing failures this season centered on Washington's secondary. This group was expected to be a significant strength this season after hefty investments by general manager Adam Peters. One can point to the injuries holding them back, but almost nobody performed up to the required standard.
Older players didn't look prepared. Young breakout hopefuls such as Quan Martin fell by the wayside. While it's hard to motivate yourself in a losing season, it also points to severe flaws on the coaching side.
That brings Jason Simmons under the microscope. The Commanders' defensive pass game coordinator hasn't gotten the desired results from his players. Even last season, things didn't look especially cohesive. But unlike last season, Jayden Daniels hasn't been able to paper over the cracks.
With new offensive and defensive coordinators expected to arrive in the not-too-distant future, everyone remaining on the coaching staff should be anxiously awaiting their fate. However, based on the way things have unfolded for Simmons over the last two years, Quinn may decide to take matters into his own hands much sooner.
The time for half-measures is over. Quinn knows what's at stake, and he's taken drastic measures to get back to the form that led Washington to the NFC Championship Game in Year 1 under his leadership. Not everyone in the locker room is reportedly happy with some decisions being made, but they couldn't have been naive enough to think that everything was going to stay the same after such a torrid campaign.
As for Simmons? He'll probably know that the writing is on the wall. He's got enough extensive experience in NFL circles to find alternative employment, but his time in Washington is likely at an end.