Commanders' arrival projected to blossom under Dan Quinn in 2024

Dan Quinn comes to the Washington Commanders with a lofty reputation. Things ended on a sour note with the Dallas Cowboys en route to another playoff capitulation, but Josh Harris' ownership group and Adam Peters were convinced this was the correct leader to guide this franchise back to their rightful place.

That won't be easy, but Quinn's made a good first impression. His ability to work magic on defensive backs is something else that stands to benefit the Commanders. One player, in particular, was projected to blossom under the head coach's exceptional guidance.

Jeremy Chinn can thrive under Commanders head coach Dan Quinn

Jeremy Chinn looked like a bona fide superstar in the making after taking the league by storm as a rookie in 2020. Things haven't gone according to plan since then, but Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports believes Quinn's previous experience with athletic, physically imposing secondary players can help the former second-round selection return to the form of old next season.

"He's another Commanders player who's produced at high level in the NFL and boasts the talent to be a foundational piece of Washington's defensive unit for a long time. He also could be on this third team in three years if he doesn't return to his early form in 2024. Remember, Chinn is a serious specimen for the safety spot -- 6-foot-3 and 221-pounds with elite 4.45 speed and a 41-inch vertical. He has the built-in-a-lab size and athleticism to be half-safety, half-linebacker when more is being asked from the safety position than ever before. His new head coach, Dan Quinn, had a front-row seat to Kam Chancellor in Seattle, and Donovan Wilson and Markquese Bell became two quality, hard-hitting safeties in Dallas. Chinn should blossom under Quinn's watch."

- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Chinn also believes this. He reportedly turned down more money from the Pittsburgh Steelers to become part of Quinn's exciting project. The Southern Illinois product believes this is the right environment to get back on track. It also looks like the perfect fit schematically - something that can put his outstanding skill set to better use.

Versatility is key. Chinn's best work as a pro came at the defensive second level. His experience on the backend should allow Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. to get creative with the player. Allowing him to be instinctive and explosive holds the key to a potential turnaround.

Nobody is disputing Chinn's credentials. Some deficiencies in coverage cannot be ignored, but there's a lot to like about this signing overall.

Chinn is highly motivated to remind the football world why he was such a highly touted player once upon a time. One could argue he was harshly treated in Carolina. They mismanaged his positional importance and development. Ejiro Evero cast him aside almost entirely, which made his departure inevitable from a long way out.

Playing on a one-year, prove-it deal is an added incentive where Chinn is concerned. If the Indiana native takes on improved coaching and is deployed more in keeping with his physical attributes, a lucrative long-term extension won't be too far behind. Something he looks more than capable of achieving based on his early transition into Quinn's schematic concepts.

The Commanders need an explosive heavy-hitter after letting previous starting safety Kamren Curl walk in free agency. Those in power believe Chinn is that guy.