Pressure is building across the Washington Commanders. Another torrid effort against the Minnesota Vikings brought more heat on those in power. Unless some positivity can emerge from their final four games, that's going to continue into the offseason.
Head coach Dan Quinn's job doesn't appear to be in jeopardy. He gained enough trust last season, and the locker room remains firmly on board. But if the Commanders finish 3-14, extending their losing streak to 12, it's not hard to see why he'll enter the 2026 campaign firmly on the hot seat.
This sentiment was echoed by a former Washington head coach, who claimed that Quinn needs to find the correct answers to the apparent problems causing the Commanders' free fall.
Jay Gruden urges Dan Quinn to fix what is clearly broken within the Commanders
Jay Gruden stated that it's the fans' right to ask questions about the franchise's current direction during his latest appearance on 106.7 The Fan. He also thought the Commanders' concerns ran much deeper than quarterback Jayden Daniels' injury problems, and Quinn needs to fix these issues to ensure this slide doesn't become more concerning.
"Questions need to be asked. That's the right of the media, and that's the right of the fan base. What happened? How can we go from NFC champion contenders to losing eight games in a row? What's the fix, what's the answer? The easy answer is Jayden's been hurt, but it's more than that. Questions need to be asked, and the most important thing is what is the fix?"Jay Gruden via 106.7 The Fan
"Questions need to be asked" - Jay Gruden on when G&D asked if Dan Quinn should be worried about job security. pic.twitter.com/t5c8OxKYX6
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) December 8, 2025
This is a fair assessment. Quinn isn't going to get fired, even if the Commanders lose every game from here on. However, unless significant changes and tough decisions are made, it won't be long before speculation about potential replacements surfaces.
Quinn knows this all too well. He was relieved of his duties by the Atlanta Falcons despite guiding them to a Super Bowl. After a strong start as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, he began to outstay his welcome, and Jerry Jones didn't fight nearly as hard to keep him around in 2024 as he did in 2023.
Adam Peters doesn't get off the hook, either. The general manager is two years into his master plan, and the Commanders look further away from a Super Bowl than ever. The time for half-measures is over, and Washington cannot afford this relationship between the front office and Quinn to sour.
It's being tested, sure, but the strong bond remains. That should give fans confidence in the future, even if the 2025 season has fallen by the wayside.