In a moment that transcended football and spoke to the deep connection between teams and the people who cover them, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn made a quiet but powerful gesture during his latest press conference. As reporters filed in, three seats sat empty - intentionally so. It was Quinn’s way of honoring the recently disbanded Washington Post sports section, a newsroom staple that had long chronicled the highs and lows of Washington football.
“First, a couple of empty seats over to my right,” Quinn said. “I was absolutely bummed to hear about The Washington Post sports section… Their presence is missed.”
Commanders leave 3 seats open for The Washington Post and Dan Quinn says what a loss it is to not have them covering the team pic.twitter.com/Jo8I3usiHz
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 10, 2026
It was a classy, human moment from a coach who’s still getting his footing in D.C., but already understands the ecosystem of sports in this city - and how much the people behind the bylines matter. The Washington Post’s decision to slash its sports department, part of a broader round of layoffs that hit multiple sections including international news, sent shockwaves through the local media landscape. Reporters were either reassigned or let go entirely, leaving a noticeable void in press rooms across the capital.
Quinn’s acknowledgment wasn’t just a nod to tradition - it was a recognition of the essential role journalists play in the fabric of a team’s story. The people who ask the tough questions, provide context, and tell the stories that fans carry with them long after the final whistle - those voices matter. And when they go silent, the absence is felt.
The Commanders weren’t the only ones who noticed. Across town, Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery took a moment during his own media availability to reflect on the departure of Bailey Johnson, who had covered the Caps for the Post.
“I would be remiss not to say something about Bailey not being here today,” Carbery said. “Getting to know her over the last 2 1/2 years, yeah, I’m just thinking about her.
And also know wherever her next stop is, whether it’s in the DC area or somewhere else, know she’ll do a fantastic job. She’s an incredible person and really, really good at what she does.”
It’s not often you see coaches - who are usually laser-focused on game plans, depth charts, and injury reports - pause to reflect on the people holding the microphones. But this week, in Washington, that pause felt necessary.
The ripple effects of The Washington Post’s decision extend beyond the press box. For decades, the paper has been a launching pad for some of the most respected voices in sports media - names like Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, who now co-host ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption but got their start covering Washington teams with insight, edge, and heart. Wilbon, in particular, didn’t hide his frustration over the layoffs, expressing anger that some of his former colleagues were being shown the door.
For Quinn, who took over the Commanders in 2024 and just wrapped up a 5-12 campaign in 2025, the gesture was more than symbolic. It was a reminder that while wins and losses dominate headlines, the people telling those stories are just as much a part of the game’s culture. Coaches, players, and reporters - they’re all part of the same orbit, each playing a role in how the story of a season gets told.
In an era where media is changing fast and local reporting is under threat, Quinn’s gesture hit home. It was a small act, but it said a lot. And in a league where every detail is scrutinized, sometimes it’s the quiet moments - like three empty chairs - that speak the loudest.