The knives are out for head coach Dan Quinn, which isn't surprising. His botched final play against the New York Giants cost the Washington Commanders a chance to win in overtime, and they completely blew it.
Fans are calling for Quinn to be fired. Some national media outlets are suggesting the same, with ESPN insider Adam Schefter saying there could be consequences in time for this complete malpractice.
Quinn's seat was hot coming into the season. It is absolutely scorching now.
Commanders are reportedly keeping faith with Dan Quinn despite Week 5 horror show
However, the Commanders reportedly aren't considering firing him in-season.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, citing conversations with people around the league, Washington doesn't seem likely to make a head-coaching change. Sunday's tie was a complete debacle, but the Commanders are supposedly unwilling to throw in the towel on Quinn while there is still plenty to play for.
It's a contentious issue. But this stance is fair.
For now, at least.
Firing a head coach during the season, especially this early, isn't the norm. The Carolina Panthers fired Matt Rhule after five games, but they should have done it long before. NFL owners prefer patience, and Quinn is probably respected enough to see out the year.
After that, all bets are off.
The succession plan is another reason why the Commanders might keep Quinn in post for the next 12 games.
Commanders may let Dan Quinn see out the year, but all bets are off if improvements aren't made
Quinn has two rookie NFL play-callers. Surging them to an interim head coach wouldn't be smart, and they would be wise to turn down the opportunity in this scenario. Running backs coach Anthony Lynn would be the likeliest candidate, but just how much better would things be?
Not very, especially if the white flag is officially waved.
Washington kept faith with Quinn after a five-win campaign last season. Injuries were a viable excuse for their failings, but the same trend is continuing after another offseason shake-up from general manager Adam Peters.
And if anything, it's getting worse.
The final play sequence against the Giants was an embarrassment. It showed a team that was unprepared, unwilling to adjust, and completely misreading the situation. Nobody could believe what was unfolding in front of their eyes, but there was nothing they could do to stop it.
Quinn should have taken charge. He should have communicated more effectively. And he should have made sure the Commanders were spiking the ball to give first-year kicker Drew Stevens a shot.
None of those things happened. And judging by the players' comments in the locker room, the coaching staff bore the blame.
They were following orders from offensive coordinator David Blough. Quinn could hear what was going on, and he should have intervened. He didn't, and the criticism has been scathing ever since.
Majority owner Josh Harris was never going to make an emotional decision immediately after the game. That's not his style, having overseen the "trust the process" era with the Philadelphia 76ers.
But a tipping point will come if results don't improve.
This all changes if the locker room loses faith. When the players start questioning the coaching staff, everything falls apart. Time will tell on that, but even though Quinn's status looks more precarious than ever, the Commanders are reportedly not willing to pull the plug on his tenure.
Because if they do, the Commanders will be back to square one.
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