The Washington Commanders have yet to choose their next defensive coordinator. And one respected team insider highlighted a reason that could be holding back head coach Dan Quinn.
Brian Flores is no longer an option after he signed a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Other strong candidates are being considered elsewhere, and some strong franchises are still seeking the right hire. The Commanders have bided their time up to now, but Quinn would be wise to settle on a preferred option with free agency and the draft on the not-too-distant horizon.
The Commanders will speak with Al Harris, who has close ties to Quinn and once said he would follow the coach wherever he goes. He's also spoken to the Green Bay Packers, who need a fresh defensive guru after Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins' head coach.
Commanders' lack of defensive quality could be putting off coordinator candidates
John Keim of ESPN thought the Commanders' lack of quality defensive personnel may be a stumbling block. While there are coordinators around with proven credentials in building a defense, those looking to become head coaches again or down the line might see the Packers or someone else as a more viable option.
"Where would you rather go right now to coach defense, Green Bay or here? Here, you have to build it. Is that the best spot for all these coordinators? Give me a guy who has taken a defense and turned it around versus inherited and won something. So, I think that's something you have to look at."John Keim via The Team 980
John Keim on why the Commanders are at a disadvantage to land a prominent DC due to having major roster holes on defense pic.twitter.com/8YW7RmRnt9
— The Team 980 (@team980) January 22, 2026
It's a fair point.
Flores obviously thought Minnesota was a better option if he didn't get a head-coaching gig. Raheem Morris, who has connections to Quinn but also to Mike LaFleur in Green Bay and Kyle Shanahan on the San Francisco 49ers, could opt for polished defensive personnel as he looks for another chance to be a head coach. It's the cold, hard truth that comes from acquiring aging veterans who were no longer fit for purpose.
General manager Adam Peters needs to be held accountable, too. He's the one in charge of putting the right pieces in place. Too much emphasis was placed on the short-term without keeping an eye on the bigger picture. And it blew up spectacularly.
This could force Quinn to appoint an inexperienced, ascending coach looking for a chance to prove himself as a defensive play-caller. There wouldn't be many better options than Harris in this scenario, although others — Karl Scott and Joe Cullen, for example — would also be under consideration if the Commanders went down this route.
It'll be interesting to see what Quinn decides in the end. But time is officially of the essence.