Getty Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
A nightmare scenario now exists in which the Dallas Cowboys lose renowned defensive coordinator Dan Quinn … and are forced to face him twice a year.
Per media reports, the New York Giants have requested permission to interview Quinn for its head-coaching vacancy. No meeting has been scheduled as of this writing.
One of, if not the hottest HC candidate in the 2022 cycle, Quinn interviewed with the Denver Broncos on January 18 and the Minnesota Vikings on January 19. He’s scheduled to sit down with the Miami Dolphins on January 20 and the Chicago Bears on January 22.
Due primarily to his strong leadership qualities, Quinn, 51, is widely considered the favorite to land in Denver, replacing Vic Fangio.
“He is a culture-builder,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said of the former Atlanta head man on January 15. “Took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season there. Also has worked previously with Broncos general manager George Paton.”
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Exploring Big Blue’s Interest in DQ
On the hunt for a head coach since January 11, when they fired Joe Judge, the Giants are simultaneously conducting a general manager search after also dismissing Dave Gettleman. The finalists for the latter position are Buffalo Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen and Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Ryan Poles.
Upon accepting the job, Schoen or Poles would have a hand in bringing aboard Quinn — if he’s still available — according to the New York Daily News.
“The timing of the Giants’ request for Quinn comes as a surprise since they haven’t hired a new GM yet. Co-owner John Mara had said last week that he wanted to get the GM hire ‘done first’ so the new GM could ‘lead the search’ for a new head coach,” beat reporter Pat Leonard wrote on January 19.
“The Giants requested Quinn now, though, because multiple finalists for their GM job have Quinn on their short list, according to a source. And they wanted to show the popular candidate they were interested before Quinn took another job.”
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McCarthy Clears Up Job Security Speculation
Despite a crushing loss in the NFC Wild Card Game, the Cowboys will not fire HC Mike McCarthy, who had a “long” but “positive” conversation with team owner Jerry Jones the day after the defeat. Jones, too, claimed the option of pink-slipping McCarthy is “not on the table.”
“I don’t even want to discuss anything like that at this particular time,” Jones said Sunday, January 16.
An unflinching McCarthy further addressed his job status, as well as his tête-à-tête with management, during a January 20 radio interview on 105.3 The Fan.
“I’m full speed ahead,” he said, via The Athletic. “Obviously we talked about the disappointment of the game. … We talked about everything that needed to be talked about.”
McCarthy holds an 18-15 coaching record through two seasons as Jason Garrett’s successor. He reportedly inked a five-year, $30 million contract following his 2020 hiring.