"While Washington’s coach, Dan Quinn, isn’t mentioned as often as others who are coaching for their jobs in the upcoming season, several executives from rival clubs believe he is in a make-or-break scenario."
That was the opinion of NFL insider Jason La Canfora, citing conversations with league personnel. And while confidence in the Washington Commanders' long-term outlook remains high after an impressive offseason, head coach Dan Quinn will carry the can if it all goes wrong.
Quinn has been around the game for a long time. He knows what could happen if results don't improve, which is the name of the game above all else. He is widely respected in the locker room and across the NFL, and he made the bold moves needed to get things back on track after expectations were not met in the previous campaign.
Dan Quinn put under the microscope before make-or-break Commanders season
Things are looking up, and the instant tempo set by everyone in the building over Washington's offseason program spoke volumes about the urgency. At the same time, this remains a precarious situation.
La Canfora's revelations show how some around the league perceive Quinn's predicament. And according to one longtime NFL personnel executive, former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is a name to watch if the Commanders go in a different direction.
“Keep an eye on (former Bills head coach) Sean McDermott there next year. Just remember who told you first.”
This is all pretty wild, and there doesn't seem to be much substance attached right now. But if the Commanders do fire Quinn next offseason, appointing someone like McDermott would be a sideways move.
Going from one experienced, defensive-minded head coach to another doesn't seem all that likely. McDermott, like Quinn, is revered among the players. He's also failed to get over the hump with an uber-talented Buffalo Bills squad, only for them to eventually pull the plug in favor of promoting Joe Brady.
There are no alarm bells being sounded. Quinn has the Commanders' complete faith, and they are giving him a pass for last season's capitulation. Injuries played their part, but the complacency that crept into the building was unacceptable.
Standards slipped. But the atmosphere has completely changed now.
Nobody knows what the future holds. The Commanders have talent, and two new coordinators should help bring new life to the schematic concepts. Getting a better run on the injury front should also help, and the motivation to right a serious wrong is already being displayed.
If the downward trajectory continues when the regular season arrives, Quinn's future becomes a lot more unclear. It's not the first time he's dealt with a situation like this, and he'll be hoping to avoid an ending that cost him his job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Whether he can or not remains to be seen. But make no mistake; people around the league will be watching intently.
Add us as a preferred source on Google