Dan Quinn Eyes Familiar Face to Fix Commanders' Defensive Woes
Dan Quinn is back in the NFC East, but this time he’s wearing burgundy and gold. And as he begins reshaping the Washington Commanders in his image, one of his first major decisions looms: who’s going to run his defense?
Quinn, who took over as head coach after a successful stint coordinating the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, is reportedly eyeing a familiar partner in that endeavor-Al Harris, currently the defensive backs coach with the Chicago Bears. According to league sources, Harris recently interviewed for the Commanders’ defensive coordinator job, and the move would mark a reunion between two coaches who helped turn Dallas into one of the league’s most opportunistic defenses.
Let’s be clear: Washington’s defense needs a serious overhaul. Last season, the Commanders were near the bottom of the league in multiple defensive categories, including passing yards allowed (a staggering 242.5 per game) and turnover production. They tied for 25th in interceptions with just eight, and their 5.3% turnover rate was second-worst in the NFL-only the Jets were worse.
That’s not the kind of stat sheet you want to hand your new head coach, especially one with Quinn’s defensive pedigree. So it makes sense that he’s turning to someone he trusts to help flip the script.
The Harris Effect
Al Harris isn’t just a familiar face-he’s a proven playmaker developer. He joined the Cowboys in 2020 and became a key part of Quinn’s staff when the veteran coach arrived in 2021.
Under their watch, Dallas’ secondary became a takeaway machine. According to team data, the Cowboys racked up 72 interceptions between 2021 and 2024, a number that speaks to both coaching and execution.
That success followed Harris to Chicago this past season, where he joined Ben Johnson’s staff. The Bears led the NFL with 23 interceptions and posted an impressive 18.3% turnover rate. That’s not just a good year-that’s elite production, especially for a team that didn’t enter the season with sky-high expectations.
And it wasn’t just about raw numbers. Harris helped revive careers and elevate talent.
Former Cowboys draft pick Nahshon Wright blossomed in Chicago, forcing eight turnovers (five picks, three fumble recoveries). Veteran safety Kevin Byard turned back the clock, leading the league with seven interceptions and earning his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nods since 2021.
That kind of coaching impact is exactly what Washington needs. The Commanders weren’t just giving up yards-they were failing to make game-changing plays.
And in today’s NFL, where explosive offenses are the norm, defenses have to be disruptive to survive. Turnovers are the great equalizer, and Harris has shown he knows how to generate them.
Rebuilding Through Familiarity
Quinn’s interest in Harris is more than just comfort-it’s strategic. He knows what Harris brings to the table because he’s seen it firsthand. And in a league where continuity and trust matter, especially when installing a new system, bringing in a coach who already understands your philosophy can accelerate the rebuild.
There’s also a broader Dallas-to-D.C. pipeline potentially forming. Former Cowboys star corner Trevon Diggs is set to hit free agency, and while there’s no confirmation of interest from Washington just yet, the connections are hard to ignore. If Quinn is looking to replicate the formula that worked in Dallas-a fast, aggressive defense built around ballhawks-then Harris may be the first domino to fall.
The Bottom Line
Dan Quinn has a mountain to climb in Washington, and the defense is the most pressing part of that challenge. Hiring Al Harris wouldn’t just be a reunion-it would be a calculated move to inject life into a unit that struggled to find its identity last season.
If Quinn wants to bring the Commanders back to relevance, he’ll need more than just schemes-he’ll need coaches who can turn potential into production. Harris has done that before. Now, he might get the chance to do it again in the nation’s capital.