Even though the Washington Commanders have dropped two straight since Dan Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties, there’s no denying the unit is showing signs of life-and that’s a welcome shift in a season that’s been anything but stable.
Against the Denver Broncos, Washington didn’t just show up-they fought. Marcus Mariota led a surprisingly sharp offensive effort against a Denver defense that’s been among the league’s stingiest. But the real story was on the other side of the ball, where Quinn’s fingerprints were all over a defense that looked far more disciplined, aggressive, and, most importantly, cohesive.
Quinn didn’t step into the defensive play-caller role lightly. He’d been hesitant to take the reins midseason, but the results suggest it was the right call. The defense has looked more organized and competitive since he took over, and while the wins haven’t followed yet, the improvement is clear.
Now the question becomes: Is this a short-term fix, or the beginning of a long-term shift?
Quinn hasn’t ruled out continuing to call plays next season. When asked about it, he said there’s “a possibility” he keeps the role in 2026, though he emphasized that the team hasn’t thought that far ahead. Still, the door is open-and that’s significant.
Let’s be clear: Quinn has the résumé to back it up. He was the architect behind the Seahawks’ legendary Legion of Boom defense in 2013 and 2014, and his work with the Dallas Cowboys earned him the Commanders’ head coaching job. He knows how to build elite defenses, and we’re starting to see the early stages of that in Washington.
But there’s a balance to strike. Being a head coach is a full-time job.
Adding play-calling responsibilities-especially on the defensive side-can be a heavy lift. It worked for a while with guys like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan on offense, but those situations are the exception, not the rule.
If Quinn’s going to wear both hats, he’ll need to be sure he’s not stretching himself too thin.
One thing that does seem clear: the Commanders can’t go back to what they had before. The previous defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt Jr., struggled to get results, and the difference since the change has been stark. While Whitt remains on staff in a reduced role, it’s hard to imagine him returning to his former position.
So what’s the best path forward?
Washington could look for a veteran defensive coordinator-someone with head coaching experience who can run the defense with autonomy. Think Steve Spagnuolo in Kansas City or Vic Fangio in Philadelphia. That kind of presence would allow Quinn to focus on the bigger picture without sacrificing the progress the defense has made.
But if the defense keeps trending upward under Quinn’s leadership, it might be tough to justify changing anything at all. Sometimes the best move is to ride the hot hand, and right now, Quinn’s got this unit playing with more fire and structure than we’ve seen all season.
The Commanders still have work to do, and the season hasn’t gone the way they hoped. But amid the setbacks, there’s a growing sense that something is starting to click on defense. If that continues, don’t be surprised if Quinn decides to keep the headset on-and keep calling the shots.