Dan Quinn was the right man to lead the Washington Commanders. Their remarkable run fell one win short of the Super Bowl. That does not detract from their exceptional accomplishment to reach this point.
Nobody gave the Commanders a shot of getting anywhere close to the final four. Most anticipated some improvement under the new regime. Not even the most optimistic fan expected this.
Quinn deserves enormous praise. He led from the front and ensured this new-look roster became a close-knit unit effectively. The culture shift was nothing short of incredible — a driving force behind Washington's rise from rock bottom to legitimate contention.
The Commanders were soundly beaten by the Eagles. This was a step too far for Quinn's group. They let the occasion get to them and made sloppy, uncharacteristic mistakes in crucial moments. It was a harsh learning curve, but the future is incredibly bright.
Attention now turns to the offseason. General manager Adam Peters will have a good idea of where this squad is and what more is needed to take the next step. Big changes are coming once again, which wasn't lost on Quinn when addressing the team following their demoralizing NFC Championship defeat.
Dan Quinn wanted Commanders players to recognize their accomplishments
Quinn wanted his players to savor the moment. To cherish each other and realize what a special environment they created. Not everyone is going to come along for the ride, so the former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator rightfully took the time to appreciate what they have and what they'd built to defy the odds.
"What I told the players, I really wanted them to savor this time in the locker room with their teammates. The locker room is never the same year-to-year, and they’ve really created something very unique and very special……I wanted them to recognize the brotherhood they created together."Dan Quinn via USA Today
The NFL is a business. Peters is ruthless with his roster building and won't hesitate to make changes if he feels like it can benefit the organization. There's a good chance Washington's roster looks much different by the time organized team activities resume. That's the price of progress.
Quinn knows this. He's aware the immediate aftermath of Washington's loss at Lincoln Financial Field would be the last time this group is together in a football setting. Emphasizing reflection with a heartfelt message typifies the coach's player-first mindset and his focus on forming relationships.
It's why Quinn is widely regarded as one of the league's most accomplished man managers. It's why he's deeply respected around the NFL. It's also why the Commanders chose him to spearhead this ambitious project.
The Commanders are on the right track. They are an attractive destination again and captivated the imagination of fans around the league. If Peters can navigate the offseason successfully, expect them to be in the playoff mix once again in 2025.
That's for the future. For now, Quinn wants to steer his players through an emotional time. Goodbyes will be hard as players clean out their lockers. After everything they've given to the cause this season, this compassion is the least they deserve.
You can see how much this team means to Quinn, both personally and professionally. When the disappointment and frustration diminish in the future, they can look back on their collective achievements with an enormous sense of pride.