The Washington Commanders have brought in several defensive coordinator candidates for interviews so far. Head coach Dan Quinn hasn't made a hire yet, opting to bide his time and let things play out before making his critical choice.
Quinn would be wise to strike pretty quickly. The Commanders aren't the only team looking for a defensive coordinator. New openings have emerged with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, which are immensely intriguing. Even within the NFC East, substantial changes are already underway.
John Harbaugh's presence with the New York Giants has the scope to change the landscape. The Dallas Cowboys are also on the lookout for a new defensive play-caller after firing Matt Eberflus. And owner/general manager Jerry Jones has someone in mind whom Washington has already spoken with.
Cowboys are speaking with potential Commanders DC hire Jonathan Gannon
According to reports, the Cowboys interviewed Jonathan Gannon on Tuesday. His time as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach didn't go well, but he remains a respected defensive mind in the NFL. He's also got previous ties to the NFC East, helping the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl before securing a top job.
This might be a blessing in disguise for the Commanders. Gannon's methods didn't resonate effectively with the players in Arizona. He's seen as aloof and lacks motivational techniques, based on reports. While he did a fantastic job in Philadelphia, their defense at the time was loaded with elite-level performers who made his job easy.
The Commanders promoted several offensive coaches, signaling a risky yet ambitious youth movement that could go either way. Quinn is after more experience on the defensive side of things, and Gannon ticks those boxes. At the same time, it's a retread just coming off a head-coaching job that flopped, so an immediate return to work can go either way if history is any indication.
Jones might feel like getting one over on Quinn by hiring Gannon is too tempting to turn down. He's always a man who covets headlines more than substance, which he's freely admitted. Much will depend on how the Commanders viewed their interview with the coach last week. But the fact that nothing has emerged since speaks for itself.
The Commanders haven't pushed their chips into the middle with anybody. But with free agency and the pre-draft process on the immediate horizon, decisive action will be needed sooner rather than later.
Hiring Gannon just because the Cowboys are interested wouldn't be smart. And if he determines Dallas to be a better option, Quinn's had a lucky escape.