Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders haven’t quite run out of viable defensive coordinator candidates just yet, not even after Brian Flores snubbed their interest to stay with the Minnesota Vikings.
Flores was the standout name among available play-callers as one of the brightest, most inventive and aggressive designers of pressure in the NFL. His reputation naturally attracted the Commanders, who desperately need a defensive overhaul on Quinn’s watch, but Flores will stay in Minnesota.
That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported on Wednesday, January 21 how “Flores has signed a contract extension with the Vikings. If he does not receive a head coaching job this cycle, he will be back as the team’s defensive coordinator.”
The development is another blow for Quinn’s bid to find an upgrade at DC. He’s already seen one strong candidate choose to stay put and remain with the Atlanta Falcons.
Fortunately, Quinn can still turn to a familiar face who knows the head coach’s system inside and out.
Dan Quinn to Meet With Familiar Face
Quinn will no doubt be pleased the Commanders are sitting down with Chicago Bears passing game coordinator Al Harris, an interview reported by Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler. He also noted “Harris interviewed in Green Bay today, per @AdamSchefter. Bears led NFL in interceptions (23).”
Harris interviewed in Green Bay today, per @AdamSchefter.
Bears led NFL in interceptions (23).
Coaxing Harris from the NFC North wouldn’t be the headline move the Commanders would’ve made by hiring Flores. Yet, recruiting Harris would still rate as a minor coup for Quinn.
It would be a reunion of sorts for latter, who had Harris on staff when Quinn served as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. That connection is why Harris has previously been tipped as an intriguing option to replace another of Quinn’s former assistants with the Cowboys, Joe Whitt Jr., on the headset.
Quinn relieved Whitt Jr. of calling plays during the season, but the change did little to improve the fortunes of the Commanders defensively. Instead, Washington’s defense continued to be soft against the run and vulnerable to big plays through the air.
Harris might solve the latter problem. Or at least he’s qualified to coach the Commanders into making some big plays of their own by forcing more turnovers.
The risk would be mistaking a more opportunistic defense for an overall better and more stingy unit. Although the Bears led the NFL in picks and forced 12 fumbles, recovering eight, their defense was also guilty of ranking 23rd in points and 29th in yards, per Pro Football Reference.
Turnovers have been in short supply for the Commanders, but more is needed to make this defense a tougher proposition. It will likely take a more elaborate scheme designed and adapted over time by an experienced mind.
Flores was the perfect choice, but the Commanders still have a couple of established options.
Commanders Have Options After Brian Flores News
Although few can match Flores’ pedigree, there are other former head coaches who built their reputations as defensive coordinators. Including one who worked with Quinn when the latter was in charge of the Falcons.
There’s also Jonathan Gannon, booted from the top with the Arizona Cardinals, but a Super Bowl-winning DC from his days with the Philadelphia Eagles. Gannon remains among a list of hopefuls that also includes Patrick Graham, Joe Cullen, Dennard Wilson and Karl Scott, according to The Washington Post’s Tom Schad.
It’s a credible group, but the Commanders need an X-factor to help revive this defense. Flores’ sophisticated blitz packages would’ve been the ideal tonic, so Quinn should look for something similar when interviewing the remaining prospective coordinators.
Commanders Interviewing Dan Quinn Favorite After Brian Flores Snub