The HC Dan Quinn Discussion Thread

[Conn]

Interesting after reading so many posts about how such an inexperienced coordinator is a recipe for disaster, now the concern is he’ll get poached after one year?

I would assume those posts are being made mostly by different people lol

 

[NoCalSkins]

I think Quinn being on the proverbial "hot seat" is fair, but mostly because last season was a 5 win season rather than a .500 season. If Quinn had somehow figured out a way for the roster to weather the storm and guided them to 8 wins despite the injuries I think it would have eased a lot of doubt about Quinn just being in the right place and the right time for JD5 to put together the historic run as a rookie QB because lets face it, no JD5 and who knows how mediocre 2024 turns out.

As far as this season goes, I think 6 or less wins and Quinn is gone without a doubt. I think 8-9 wins it gets a little tricky and might come down to how/why they are losing games. I am going to assume that JD5 is bouncing back this season and will have the offense looking respectable at the least. For me the defense is still a question mark, not because I don't think the unit hasn't improved on paper, but I expect young additions to make mistakes during the development process and they are looking at some tough match ups coming out of the gate. This could be a situation where how the team is playing post-Thanksgiving determines the offseason plan, even if they are in a hole that makes the post-season unlikely or maybe they lose a game at the end of the season that eliminates them.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I would assume those posts are being made mostly by different people lol

I may have made both points! I don’t like to pigeonhole my preseason mind where all possibilities seem available. We know so little.

Blough could struggle mightily. He could be the next wunderkind. I like to posit about both potential futures.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I think Quinn being on the proverbial "hot seat" is fair, but mostly because last season was a 5 win season rather than a .500 season. If Quinn had somehow figured out a way for the roster to weather the storm and guided them to 8 wins despite the injuries I think it would have eased a lot of doubt about Quinn just being in the right place and the right time for JD5 to put together the historic run as a rookie QB because lets face it, no JD5 and who knows how mediocre 2024 turns out.

As far as this season goes, I think 6 or less wins and Quinn is gone without a doubt. I think 8-9 wins it gets a little tricky and might come down to how/why they are losing games. I am going to assume that JD5 is bouncing back this season and will have the offense looking respectable at the least. For me the defense is still a question mark, not because I don't think the unit hasn't improved on paper, but I expect young additions to make mistakes during the development process and they are looking at some tough match ups coming out of the gate. This could be a situation where how the team is playing post-Thanksgiving determines the offseason plan, even if they are in a hole that makes the post-season unlikely or maybe they lose a game at the end of the season that eliminates them.

This seems to be where I am at. I would add that Blough being a potential candidate at the end of year while extremely unlikely, would muddy things. They like Blough in the FO, I think.

Where I agree so strongly though, is your analysis of last year. If DQ had eked out better performance, yes, I think his seat would be less warm. The way they lost, injuries or not, was simply atrocious. I think both owner and GM were quite put off by that.

The reason I expect 5 to last longer is because I think the playcalls will protect him more. My question is, will that lead to fewer Ws. I don’t know. Lots to discover this year.

 

[GibbsSkins]

In my opinion (and I am not an expert), the issue with DQ is he is a manager HC. After watching his initial seasons with us, I am not sure he is the Defensive minded coach or similar. He does not seem to have a niche where he brings value on the field, except of course display of overall leadership, positive attitude and promotion of brotherhood among players. Yes, this qualities matter for sure! My thinking is (I may very well be wrong here), in today's NFL, it is important for coach to have a tangible (backed by statistic) quality that he can be an offensive or defensive guru that can hold the other side via strong D and attack them relentlessly via strong O, like we have seen with Seahawks and Bears. We have seen even in our first season and small run in the playoffs, our D was weak and I thought DQ was supposed to make it better and we ride with Defense instead of JD. It is just my high level observation and as I said, I may very well be wrong here. I also acknowledge there are so many moving parts to it. But just looking at what is happening around the league, we are lacking in talent and on-the-field coaching. I really hope these new coaches help him and this team move forward in a positive direction, but then again, if they succeed, other teams will be all over them, trying to poach them away from us (like Lions) and this is another issue with having a manager HC...JMHO 🙏

 

[burgold]

I did find it interesting that Quinn chose a DC who does not seem to share his defensive philosophy. We tend to think of coaches as belonging to trees. Coryell, Walsh, etc. In one respect, it speaks well to him that he is not so wed to his system and theories and he just wants the "best." On the other, it does make you wonder what his role is as coach and teacher in a scheme he doesn't know that follows a logic that is not one he has studied.

But it does add one more layer of remove for him from the field.

 

[DWinzit]

I did find it interesting that Quinn chose a DC who does not seem to share his defensive philosophy. We tend to think of coaches as belonging to trees. Coryell, Walsh, etc. In one respect, it speaks well to him that he is not so wed to his system and theories and he just wants the "best." On the other, it does make you wonder what his role is as coach and teacher in a scheme he doesn't know that follows a logic that is not one he has studied.

But it does add one more layer of remove for him from the field.

valid point. I see it as a positive that he has moved in a direction that the DC offers an aggressive but different approach than his norm. He is evolving as a HC.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I did find it interesting that Quinn chose a DC who does not seem to share his defensive philosophy. We tend to think of coaches as belonging to trees. Coryell, Walsh, etc. In one respect, it speaks well to him that he is not so wed to his system and theories and he just wants the "best." On the other, it does make you wonder what his role is as coach and teacher in a scheme he doesn't know that follows a logic that is not one he has studied.

But it does add one more layer of remove for him from the field.

Well, his first pick was from his tree and that failed spectacularly.

I know they talked to a whole boatload of guys, some from his tree, some not.

If you're not going to be the coordinator/HC combo, then the key is to pick a guy who's the best for the job and let them run with it.

With any luck, that's what happened here.

 

[Boone]

I hate to be negative, but it's also fairly possible that Quinn didn't find quality DC candidates 'from his tree' exactly pining to join up in DC.

 

[burgold]

I hate to be negative, but it's also fairly possible that Quinn didn't find quality DC candidates 'from his tree' exactly pining to join up in DC.

I approve the subtle pun.

 

[DWinzit]

Quinn has a tree?

 

[burgold]

Quinn has a tree?

Only when in Brooklyn.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Boone]

We discussed this after the pod last night, Galdi's somewhat shocking thought that Quinn could be an early to mid-season firing if things get off to a particularly bad start. Given the 2 new coordinators and a very tough early slate of games, one wonders if that is a more real possibility than any of us might guess?

One point I brought up is that it may well depend on the context of Quinn's decisions and where Adam Peters landed on Quinn's post-season plans. Let's say Quinn came to him and said 'I have to let both coordinators go'. Quite possible that raised Peter's eyebrows - how could it not given those two coordinators were Quinn's hand-picked choices just 2 seasons before? But he may have felt strongly that Quinn deserves the freedom to pick the guys he will thrive or go down in flames with, so he supported him. It's also possible of course, that Peters himself felt Kingsbury needed to go too and that he pressured Quinn into making that call.

Who knows. But if things go south early and badly, I know one thing. Corporations look for a scapegoat when things go really badly. And it won't be Adam Peters who is left holding the bag.

 

[skinsinparadise]

We discussed this after the pod last night, Galdi's somewhat shocking thought that Quinn could be an early to mid-season firing if things get off to a particularly bad start. Given the 2 new coordinators and a very tough early slate of games, one wonders if that is a more real possibility than any of us might guess?

One point I brought up is that it may well depend on the context of Quinn's decisions and where Adam Peters landed on Quinn's post-season plans. Let's say Quinn came to him and said 'I have to let both coordinators go'. Quite possible that raised Peter's eyebrows - how could it not given those two coordinators were Quinn's hand-picked choices just 2 seasons before? But he may have felt strongly that Quinn deserves the freedom to pick the guys he will thrive or go down in flames with, so he supported him. It's also possible of course, that Peters himself felt Kingsbury needed to go too and that he pressured Quinn into making that call.

Who knows. But if things go south early and badly, I know one thing. Corporations look for a scapegoat when things go really badly. And it won't be Adam Peters who is left holding the bag.

Yeah, oddly enough, I think this team's issues fall more on Adam Peters than Dan Quinn, yet I have more confidence in Peters turning things around than I do Quinn.

I'm not out on Quinn. He gets this season from me. But if the season goes off the rails again, I'd have no problem moving on—even if that means making a change during the season.

As for Peters—and maybe Josh Harris deserves some of the blame here too—he either needs to put the pedal to the floor while Jayden is on his rookie contract or prove he's an elite drafter. So far, I don't think he's done either. He's been more aggressive this offseason than last, and I give him credit for that, but I'd still like to see another gear.

The Commanders rank 15th in cash spending. I know someone accused me of being dishonest for focusing on total spending instead of just this offseason's spending. I think it's the by a mile the most logical way to evaluate it. Total spending. Not just what you just spent let alone doing that and ignoring what you let go.

It's like credit card debt. If I owe $20,000, you don't judge my financial situation based only on how much I charged in the last six months. You judge it based on my total debt. Team spending works the same way.

When you rely on one-year contracts, that money comes off the books quickly. If you don't have to pay Deebo $17 million next year anymore, that absolutely counts. You can't just say, "Well, we spent $10 million on a few other receivers this offseason," while ignoring the overall payroll. What matters is the organization's total financial commitment, not just the latest transactions.

 

[DWinzit]

We discussed this after the pod last night, Galdi's somewhat shocking thought that Quinn could be an early to mid-season firing if things get off to a particularly bad start. Given the 2 new coordinators and a very tough early slate of games, one wonders if that is a more real possibility than any of us might guess?

One point I brought up is that it may well depend on the context of Quinn's decisions and where Adam Peters landed on Quinn's post-season plans. Let's say Quinn came to him and said 'I have to let both coordinators go'. Quite possible that raised Peter's eyebrows - how could it not given those two coordinators were Quinn's hand-picked choices just 2 seasons before? But he may have felt strongly that Quinn deserves the freedom to pick the guys he will thrive or go down in flames with, so he supported him. It's also possible of course, that Peters himself felt Kingsbury needed to go too and that he pressured Quinn into making that call.

Who knows. But if things go south early and badly, I know one thing. Corporations look for a scapegoat when things go really badly. And it won't be Adam Peters who is left holding the bag.

Cant disagree. The big question I'd have is if DQ were gone mid season, who would you have take over at HC? You have two new coordinators that I don't see as being prepared to named HC.

I know a guy like Anthony Lynn has HC experience but to have a RB coach be named HC over others feels odd.

EDIT - I can see this happening more like with one or two games remaining than to can DQ mid season. He is an endeared coach by most if not all that are around him. He and AP have also had a strong bond.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I am not going to turn the Quinn thread into the Peters thread. So, I'll respond only on the Quinn stuff.

Boone I listen to Galdi every day, and I guess I missed where he said he thought Quinn could be on the early season hot seat. Thanks for pointing that out. I personally don't think that's going to be true, unless the team is non-competitive and it looks like he lost the locker room.

Something Galdi did say this morning, ironically the 2 previous coaches (non-interim) both got 4+ years: Gruden got 5.25 years (2014 - 2019) and Ron got 4 (2020 - 2023). And Quinn's first year was better by miles than the best season either one of them ever put up. Jay's best season was 2015 at 9-7, 0-1 in the playoffs, and Ron's best season was ... either the 7-9 division win (0-1 in the playoffs) or 8-8-1 and missing the playoffs. Take your pick, both were the definition of "meh."

So it's somewhat ironic, Quinn, after coaching the team in the NFC Championship Game in his first year, going 2-1 in the playoffs, is so much on the hot seat in 2026. It shows, to me, how bad 2025 is perceived. Which I think is both fair and unfair. It was a truly disappointing season. However, they really never played with the team they were expecting to play with. Something else which Galdi said, Daniels and McLaurin didn't play a full game together after September 11th. Which is WILD. There were so many injuries in so many places, including QB, losing all the starting WRs for periods of time, all the DEs, starting TE, starting CB, etc. The only position group which stayed mostly healthy was the OL. So while it's not an excuse, it is an explanation of sorts.

Here are the big 2025 problems I have with Quinn:
1. Even with the injuries, come on man, stay competitive. His faith in Whitt was clearly misplaced, and he needed to recognize that and make a change faster. Whether that was after the 2024 season or earlier in 2025, I dunno. But he stayed the course there too long. It's the literal only thing I give Dumbass Jay Gruden credit for, in 2017, when Kirk was introducing himself to offensive linemen in the locker room before games because they were so injured, they stayed mostly competitive. That's a credit to Jay. He lost close, and won a game or two he wasn't expected to. Woohoo. But if even dumbass nepo-baby Jay Gruden can do it, Quinn should have been able to pull it off.
2. Picking a coordinator in Kliff then not liking his offense. If you're going to get Kliff, then you've got to be all in on Kliff, good or bad. Trying to force Kliff into something he's not is destined to fail. They tried to move to this power running thing which they weren't built for and didn't have the players for, and Kliff wasn't good at calling, and it was just all kindof a mess.
3. Not sitting veterans as soon as the season was over to get younger guys developmental reps. This macho "we play to win the games. Hello" bullshit when the season is over is utter nonsense.
4. And to build on #3, the cardinal sin was not doing absolutely everything in his power to lose the final game of the season without telling guys to not try. It should have been preseason game #4 from before they went to 3 preseason games. Peters and Quinn even joked about it at the post-season presser, where Peters said he talked to Dan about tanking and Dan said "no." Meaningless win. We got Styles, so yay. But maybe they really wanted Delane as the best CB, which is a premier position and a position of need, and they missed out on having that opportunity to choose because of a stupid last game win. And yes, I'm bitter about that. Even if they ended up picking Styles, I'm still bitter about it. It's just football mismanagement.

And Boone, I actually think Peters might have gone to Quinn about the coordinators. They knew they had to fire Whitt in October, so that wasn't a surprise. I'm not sure it wasn't Peters who was fed up with Kliff's offense and wanted something more traditional. There was some reporting to suggest that. I believe it was the now fallen from grace Diana Russini who first broke it right before the Commanders parted with Kliff.

I don't think that makes it any better, though. And still could raise eyebrows: "you're in year three and I have to tell you you need to fire your coordinators?"

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Cant disagree. The big question I'd have is if DQ were gone mid season, who would you have take over at HC? You have two new coordinators that I don't see as being prepared to named HC.

I know a guy like Anthony Lynn has HC experience but to have a RB coach be named HC over others feels odd.

EDIT - I can see this happening more like with one or two games remaining than to can DQ mid season. He is an endeared coach by most if not all that are around him. He and AP have also had a strong bond.

I really don't think Quinn is going to go mid-season. Even with 2-3 games left, unless he's completely lost the locker room. The only point would be to be able to get a head start on the coaching search. But that matters less than it used to because of the rules of when you can interview coaches in the playoffs. It only helps if you're going after a coach from college or not currently coaching. So I guess if they wanted to go after Tomlin, there would be a reason. But I can't see them wanting to go that direction. Bill isn't coming back to coach in the NFL. Jon Gruden? Unlikely. So, most likely, the candidate would be from a playoff team. Might as well let the current staff ride it out in that case.

I also don't think like an 1-5 start gets him fired, because at that point, your season is done anyway. Nobody on this coaching staff is going to come in and save it at that point. Quinn is a good enough coach to not be that big a part of the problem, and he's not calling either the offense or defense.

As to who would be interim? I mean, would it matter?

Also, keep this in mind, I think if they fire Quinn, regardless if this is good or bad, Blough would not coach here. He's SUPER tight with Quinn. If you listen to his recent interview on wherever he was on, he went to great lengths to describe how Quinn has mentored him and put him in positions to succeed over the last 2 years, kept him around last year even though there were other opportunities, and continued to give him responsibilities. I think Blough would probably balk at taking Quinn's job, interim or ever.

 

[DWinzit]

I do not see a mid season canning either. AP has a lot of respect for DQ.

I have a hard time seeing Blough as being ready to be a med HC next year. Lets just see how he handles training camp, preseason and then dealing with his first season charged with the offense.

If was not willing or ready to be a HC then they'd need to see what offensive minded HC candidates are out there and get one. Tomlin is a no, Jayden needs to be teamed with an offensive minded HC in my eyes.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Cant disagree. The big question I'd have is if DQ were gone mid season, who would you have take over at HC? You have two new coordinators that I don't see as being prepared to named HC.

I know a guy like Anthony Lynn has HC experience but to have a RB coach be named HC over others feels odd.

EDIT - I can see this happening more like with one or two games remaining than to can DQ mid season. He is an endeared coach by most if not all that are around him. He and AP have also had a strong bond.

Regarding who would replace him in-season, I’m not sure it matters as the move would likely be about making a statement to the fans and/or a declaration of standards, not trying to find a solution (in the moment).

Agree about the bond and how Quinn is perceived by those around him. In the “what does a successful season look like” thread, I chose competence as my marker because I think that’s the most realistic path to Quinn sticking around. 10+ wins and/or playoffs would be great, and both are certainly possible, but it’s asking a lot with what looks to be a really tough schedule (we’ll see) and 2 new coordinators/schemes. Not that I’m super attached to Quinn (I do respect him and think he’s a really easy guy to root for), but because it would mean the coordinators/schemes are working out… which could then allow for continuity going into ‘27.

To clarify, competency to me is looking consistently pretty good or better. Not getting gashed by run or pass, not showing an inability to move the ball for stretches/games, not getting blown out. Losing because of unlucky bounces, close calls, in opportune turnovers, injuries, etc. In short, Quinn, the coordinators, and the personnel not looking out of their depth. Perhaps a better way to put it is a decent (at worst) team that shows at least flashes/stretches of promise/high end play - ie a foundation that offers hope for the future.