Dan Quinn taking over the defensive play-calling against the Miami Dolphins brought some improvement. However, it wasn't enough to mask the costly errors elsewhere as the Washington Commanders suffered their eighth defeat of a disastrous campaign.
That's not going to alter Quinn's mindset moving forward. His subtle tweaks seemed to have the desired effect, and that should only enhance further when everyone comes back refreshed after the bye week. Simply put, it does not bode well for the future of defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Whitt saw his demotion coming. He's also experienced enough to see how much the defense responded to Quinn, although the Dolphins wouldn't be classed as formidable opposition by any stretch. The coaches have a close connection from their time on the Dallas Cowboys, so he was never going to be removed in-season. But that might not be the case once Washington's obligations in 2025 conclude.
Commanders insider doesn't think Joe Whitt Jr. is guaranteed to stay in Washington
This was a sentiment echoed by John Keim of ESPN, who unsurprisingly named Whitt as the Commanders' figure most under pressure. While the respected team insider acknowledged there was a sense of comfort in Quinn's call for change, it's not hard to see how his long-term future could lie elsewhere.
"Since [Joe] Whitt took over at the start of last season, Washington's defense ranks 23rd in points allowed per game (24.5) and 25th in yards allowed per game (350.5). Whitt worked under [Dan] Quinn as a passing game coordinator in Dallas, so both said they were comfortable in this situation. However, it'll be interesting to see what happens after the season. Quinn has preferred others holding the playcalling roles. "We'll worry about that down the road," Whitt said of his future."John Keim
This comes down to whether Whitt wants to stay as a play-caller or whether he'd be happy going back to a coaching role. He's an exceptional teacher, especially with defensive backs. But if he genuinely wants to be an NFL head coach down the line — especially after getting an interview with the New York Jets during the last hiring cycle — then a fresh start might be the best solution for all parties.
Both Whitt and Quinn are professional enough to do their jobs in the final six games before attention turns to other matters. Loyalty is a big thing for Washington's top man, but this cannot get in the way of the team's progress.
Whitt probably knows that deep down. And if Quinn doesn't want to call defensive plays in 2026, he must find someone who can.