Dan Quinn is taking significant criticism for his decision on fourth down against the Dallas Cowboys, which ultimately led to quarterback Jayden Daniels suffering another dislocated elbow. The Washington Commanders cannot do anything about that now, but it does nothing to cool off his hot seat.
The Commanders' fortunes are spiraling even before Washington takes the field for its home opener. Though majority owner Josh Harris is typically patient, this doesn't look good at all.
And it won't get any easier without Daniels, that's for sure.
Dan Quinn cannot live in regret as Commanders' fortunes teeter without Jayden Daniels
Quinn looked visibly dejected after the game, mainly because of Daniels. He knows how hard the signal-caller worked to get back, and now he is facing another spell on the sidelines.
Whether he regrets his choice is debatable, but throwing the respected leader to the wolves is a little harsh.
Washington had the initiative. The Commanders were practically on Dallas' goal line down seven, and they were getting the football at the start of the second half as well. This was Quinn's chance to turn up the heat, and he had two consecutive touchdowns in mind.
And with the Cowboys' offense torching Washington's defense, field goals weren't going to be enough to get the job done.
That's the long and short of it. Unfortunately, a brutal stroke of bad luck condemned Daniels to another early exit.
This will likely have serious ramifications. Quinn will be hoping that isn't the case, but it'll take a monumental effort to turn things around without Daniels' elite-level presence under center.
Commanders didn't execute when it counted, and Jayden Daniels paid the price
Everyone can say Quinn should have taken the points now. Hindsight is 20/20, but the Commanders had the upper hand in that moment. They went for the throat, and left guard Chris Paul stepped on Daniels to suck any remaining optimism out of Washington's fan base.
That wasn't Quinn. He made the decision. Offensive coordinator David Blough called the play. It was down to his players to execute.
They didn't. And now Washington will be without its franchise player until further notice.
This won't relieve pressure on Quinn's shoulders. But a positive response is critical.
He's got to find a way to get this team off the canvas quickly. Everyone was completely demoralized after the game, knowing just how difficult it would be without Daniels. It's not ideal, but the coach just has to play the hand he's been dealt as best he can.
His job might depend on it.
Quinn removed all scapegoats this offseason, firing both Joe Whitt Jr. and Kliff Kingsbury. He'll be the one who carries the can if this team fails again. At 0-2, without Daniels to depend on, and with a difficult stretch of games before the bye week, things might get a lot worse.
The Commanders don't have time to wallow in self-pity. There is too much at stake for that, but Daniels' injury and how it got to this point are only going to magnify Quinn's precarious status.
And if he cannot turn things around, this is only going to end one way.
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