Daronte Jones and the Defensive Staffing Thread

[KDawg]

I wanted Gannon initially, but looks like they weren't really interested. 2 DCs down.

How many teams have interviewed Leonhard? I've only seen a few

My list at the moment is:

1. Leonhard
2a. Scott
2b. Daronte Jones
3. Wilson
4. Graham
5. Gregg
6. Quinn
7. Blank space
8: Morris
9. Go to church more often.

 

[DWinzit]

^Wow, Quinn way ahead of Morris

 

[KDawg]

^Wow, Quinn way ahead of Morris

I should add Leonhard would be 1, Scott 2. I’m going to edit that.

And yes, I’d rather Quinn go down swinging than see what Morris will do.

Morris may actually be the best we can get, but I’d still prefer Quinn. Let him put his HC career on his back. That’s how I’d want it.

Morris is a smart guy. Knows the game. Likable. But he has a HC mentality and I’m afraid that would clash with Quinn and we are more likely to waste a year.

Hope that makes sense

 

[DWinzit]

I should add Leonhard would be 1, Scott 2. I’m going to edit that.

And yes, I’d rather Quinn go down swinging than see what Morris will do.

Morris may actually be the best we can get, but I’d still prefer Quinn. Let him put his HC career on his back. That’s how I’d want it.

Morris is a smart guy. Knows the game. Likable. But he has a HC mentality and I’m afraid that would clash with Quinn and we are more likely to waste a year.

Hope that makes sense

That makes sense, thanks.

The last thing we'd want are 2 defensive HC's that don't want to play DC or not wish to put all of their heart into it

 

[burgold]

The thing that makes me wary of both Morris and McDermott is that I worry both are dinosaurs (just like Quinn is to a degree.) I don't know that they're playcalling has adapted to what the modern game demands. Is their North Star still true? Much of the game never changes, but the details do.

 

[actorguy1]

My DC Hope List:
1. McDermott
2. Scott
3. Wilson, Graham, Leonard
4. Cullen
5. Morris
6. Quinn
7. Richie Petibon

 

[HTTR]

My list at the moment is:

1. Leonhard
2. Scott
3. Wilson
4. Graham
5. Gregg
6. Quinn
7. Blank space
8: Morris
9. Go to church more often.

No McDermott? Is that just because you don’t think there’s any chance he comes here?

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I don't thin AP should have fired DQ this off-season, which I posted in the DQ thread for a bunch of reasons I won't repeat here.

That said, the search for coordinators has been ... somewhat of a disorganized mess. Now, I'll grant something, finding coordinators is almost always a disorganized mess because the really good ones get HC interviews, or stay with teams or are protected.

It's an intersection of availability and need, and that's just a tough needle to thread under the best of circumstances.

However, I think the DC search has been particularly poorly done. I think Quinn knew who he wanted in some way, but couldn't get them, now he's a bit stuck. Which, candidly, happens all the time.

But now they have to figure out what to do from here. I get the feeling the fall-back position is going to be Raheem Morris. Which, as the last resort, isn't the absolute worse last resort you could hope for. But what's odd about that is they haven't interviewed him yet.

So we'll see. One of the reasons which was given to hire Quinn in the first place was that he was extremely well respected and could put together a heck of a coaching staff. That looked like it was true in 2024, and then it didn't look like it was true in 2025.

So we'll see.

 

[KDawg]

No McDermott? Is that just because you don’t think there’s any chance he comes here?

I don’t believe we have a shot at him. But I’m also not sure he’d be good for DQ. He’s more qualified than Quinn. Though that fits the theme with the offensive side of the ball and their assists and the OC having more experience.

 

[HTTR]

I don’t believe we have a shot at him. But I’m also not sure he’d be good for DQ. He’s more qualified than Quinn. Though that fits the theme with the offensive side of the ball and their assists and the OC having more experience.

Fair enough, but surely you’d rather have him than Morris?

 

[HTTR]

I don't thin AP should have fired DQ this off-season, which I posted in the DQ thread for a bunch of reasons I won't repeat here.

That said, the search for coordinators has been ... somewhat of a disorganized mess. Now, I'll grant something, finding coordinators is almost always a disorganized mess because the really good ones get HC interviews, or stay with teams or are protected.

It's an intersection of availability and need, and that's just a tough needle to thread under the best of circumstances.

However, I think the DC search has been particularly poorly done. I think Quinn knew who he wanted in some way, but couldn't get them, now he's a bit stuck. Which, candidly, happens all the time.

But now they have to figure out what to do from here. I get the feeling the fall-back position is going to be Raheem Morris. Which, as the last resort, isn't the absolute worse last resort you could hope for. But what's odd about that is they haven't interviewed him yet.

So we'll see. One of the reasons which was given to hire Quinn in the first place was that he was extremely well respected and could put together a heck of a coaching staff. That looked like it was true in 2024, and then it didn't look like it was true in 2025.

So we'll see.

Can’t disagree with this for the most part, but I wonder who it is you think he wanted but couldn’t get?

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Just to re-set the list, here's what I could find about who's been considered so far, and current status:

• Al Harris (Bears DBs/Pass Game Coord): Emerging as a serious candidate with strong ties to Dan Quinn. I believe there was actually some thought he could be a DC candidate last year.
• Teryl Austin (Steelers DC): Interviewed for the position. Personally, I am not in favor of this move. Seems like a retread of a very average coordinator. Though, I wouldn't trust Steelers fans opinions on anything.
• Dennard Wilson (Titans DC): Interviewed for the job. I know nothing about this guy. Except the Titans stunk. But it probably wasn't entirely his fault.
• Patrick Graham (Raiders DC): Interviewed for the job. I think this was the first candidate who interviewed. I heard some background on Galdi: he was the Raider's DC since 2022. When Carrol was hired in 2025, he retained Graham, but apparently told Graham to run his defense. And last year was a bit of a mess. And now they don't have a coach, so who knows what's going to happen with Graham. However, Graham just got out of a situation with a defensive minded HC forcing him to run a different offense, would he want to come here and maybe have the same situation with Quinn? Who's to say?
• Joe Cullen (Chiefs DL Coach): Interviewed. Getting anything from an Andy Reid team has seemed to end in disaster for 25 years. Unless we are getting Reid (which we're not), I'd stay away. Though I would be willing to bet all the money in my pockets against all the money in your pockets Reid would be a top 10 DC if he wanted to be, even through he's an offensive guy.
• Karl Scott (Seahawks DBs Coach): Interviewed. I've heard a lot of good things about him, but he is inexperienced.
• Jonathan Gannon (Former Cardinals HC): Interviewed. Big question: his Eagles defenses, was that because they were super talented and he was standing there, or did he have more to do with it?

Other Potential Considerations:

• Brian Flores (Vikings DC): Was a top target but signed an extension to remain in Minnesota.
• Raheem Morris (Former Falcons HC): Mentioned as having strong ties to Quinn. But has not interviewed as of yet as far as anybody knows.

 

[KDawg]

Fair enough, but surely you’d rather have him than Morris?

Without a doubt. But I don’t think Morris is more qualified than DQ. I think he’s qualified enough to be dangerous, but not more qualified.

I think McDermott is a better overall coach than DQ and he was handicapped by Beane and Pegula.

And I think Josh Allen knew that loss meant McDermott was fired and that’s one of the reasons he took it that hard.

Beside that, if I’m McDermott I’m not coming to DC given the current situation there.

I just don’t see him as an option even if we wanted him. And that goes for many places.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I don’t believe we have a shot at him. But I’m also not sure he’d be good for DQ. He’s more qualified than Quinn. Though that fits the theme with the offensive side of the ball and their assists and the OC having more experience.

For McDermott, I think he's going to get a HC job, so I think you're right we're not going to have a shot at him.

I'm not sure who is more qualified than the other. Both have had success, both have had failure.

One thing to note, if Kyle Shannahan had called a better second half of the SB, (or Quinn had forced him to call a better half of the SB), or if Matt Ryan had just let every play clock run to 1 second before snapping the ball, Quinn would have a SB title. That is one of the most epic choke jobs of all time. I put more of that on Shanahan than Quinn, but both are responsible.

McDermott hasn't managed to get to a SB in order to blow it, even though he's had a consensus top 4 QB and MVP for the last 5-6 years. Granted, he's lost to Reid/Mahomes 4 times and Burrow once, so that's a tough road to hoe...

 

[KDawg]

For McDermott, I think he's going to get a HC job, so I think you're right we're not going to have a shot at him.

I'm not sure who is more qualified than the other. Both have had success, both have had failure.

One thing to note, if Kyle Shannahan had called a better second half of the SB, (or Quinn had forced him to call a better half of the SB), or if Matt Ryan had just let every play clock run to 1 second before snapping the ball, Quinn would have a SB title. That is one of the most epic choke jobs of all time. I put more of that on Shanahan than Quinn, but both are responsible.

McDermott hasn't managed to get to a SB in order to blow it, even though he's had a consensus top 4 QB and MVP for the last 5-6 years. Granted, he's lost to Reid/Mahomes 4 times and Burrow once, so that's a tough road to hoe...

If my Aunt had wheels she’d be a bicycle.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Beside that, if I’m McDermott I’m not coming to DC given the current situation there.

I just don’t see him as an option even if we wanted him. And that goes for many places.

I do think you might be overstating how bad the situation is here, at least a little bit.

If I was McDermott, the biggest thing which would give me pause is the talent on defense. If he was to interview, and I was him, I'd be asking A LOT of questions about the personnel strategy on that side of the ball.

I think in NFL circles, Daniels still is seen as a generational talent, and coaches understand the impact of all the injuries probably more than the fans do. I don't think Quinn's reputation took as much of a hit as some might in NFL circles.

Harris is not Snyder, and Peters is probably still viewed as a promising young GM. Remember, he's only been in charge 2 seasons, and the first one they went to the NFC Championship game. While fans might forget that, the NFL circles won't forget it as quickly.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If my Aunt had wheels she’d be a bicycle.

I will say, McDermott's HC record is far superiors to Quinn's.

Is he the better overall coach? somewhere between possibly and probably. Also, I like him because he went to my college.

But both have had success and failure. Quinn managed to win a championship game. McDermott never loses in the regular season.

I see McDermott a lot like Marty Schottenheimer. Snake bitten by better QBs in the playoffs.

I will also say, if I had a choice of ANY of the current HC candidates, I'd hire McDermott first. I would have hired him over John Harbaugh too.

So, I think you've talked me into talking myself into thinking McDermott is better than Quinn.

 

[KDawg]

I do think you might be overstating how bad the situation is here, at least a little bit.

If I was McDermott, the biggest thing which would give me pause is the talent on defense. If he was to interview, and I was him, I'd be asking A LOT of questions about the personnel strategy on that side of the ball.

I think in NFL circles, Daniels still is seen as a generational talent, and coaches understand the impact of all the injuries probably more than the fans do. I don't think Quinn's reputation took as much of a hit as some might in NFL circles.

Harris is not Snyder, and Peters is probably still viewed as a promising young GM. Remember, he's only been in charge 2 seasons, and the first one they went to the NFC Championship game. While fans might forget that, the NFL circles won't forget it as quickly.

Fans haven’t forgotten anything. And I’m not overstating anything in my opinion, which is what all of this is. I think many here want to be so optimistic because Snyder isn’t the owners that they’ve convinced themselves that things can’t be bad.

They’re wrong. They can be. The difference is that they can also improve again very quickly.

Remember, these are professionals looking for a job.

If you’re McDermott do you come here? If you are looking for a job in your field are you accepting one with a company that is obviously restructuring and the CEO is rumored to be on his way out and a new CEO and new leadership team is coming in? Or do you go somewhere that you are a bit more comfortable?

It’s of course possible McDermott could come here.

But the dynamic would be incredibly odd.

I don’t understand why that’s so bad to say out loud.

AP did this himself. When we lost both coordinators and decided to keep Quinn, this was the situation at play.

The good news is, whether Quinn sinks or swims this season, the situation is almost instantly better next offseason. Stability or a roster with (hopefully) some good pieces and a QB that has head coach openings.

McDermott could be an option next offseason as HC. I doubt he’s an option this offseason as DC.

I will say, McDermott's HC record is far superiors to Quinn's.

Is he the better overall coach? somewhere between possibly and probably. Also, I like him because he went to my college.

But both have had success and failure. Quinn managed to win a championship game. McDermott never loses in the regular season.

I see McDermott a lot like Marty Schottenheimer. Snake bitten by better QBs in the playoffs.

I will also say, if I had a choice of ANY of the current HC candidates, I'd hire McDermott first. I would have hired him over John Harbaugh too.

So, I think you've talked me into talking myself into thinking McDermott is better than Quinn.

It’s not close.

60-59 vs. 98-50.

 

[actorguy1]

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

McDermott could be an option next offseason as HC. I doubt he’s an option this offseason as DC.

There are only 4 HC jobs available left:
1. Raiders
2. Cardinals
3. Browns
4. Bills

So the question really is does McDermott want the Raiders job and the #1 overall pick and do they want him. He clearly isn't an option in Buffalo. If I were him I'd sit on a beach before taking the Arizona or Browns jobs.

And then the question is, if he doesn't get the Raiders job, does he want to coach or not? If yes, which teams have DC openings? The 4 teams above would look to have openings, but doubtful he would go to any of them as a DC.

Other openings:
1. Packers: This would be a legitimate option. LaFleur got an extension, the defense has talent, and should have a good offense.
2. 49ers: Saleh left for the Titans. This would be a good opening.
3. Chargers: Would McDermott want to work with Harbaugh? Eh? I dunno. That's a lot of personality in one room. I think a younger, up and coming coach would make sense

Those seem to be the top 3. Would Washington be better? I dunno. Would McDermott want to come work with another defensive minded HC? I doubt it.

After looking, I think the biggest likelihood is McDermott sits out a year.