Toward the tip of the 2025 season, it was reported Dan Quinn could be secure from what wound up being an extended list of coaching departures across the NFL. That proved to be the case, although the Commanders’ staff will look much different in 2026.
Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt are among the many coaches who were replaced in Washington this winter. Those coordinators were dismissed in moves which highlighted the stress between the front office and the coaching staff. Quinn was reportedly not trying to make drastic changes to his staff despite the Commanders’ regression during his second yr in charge in comparison with the primary.
Attention will now increasingly turn to the matter of Quinn’s job security. The veteran is viewed as being on the new seat entering 2026, multiple executives told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. Other coaches are considered to be in greater danger as things stand, but a poor showing this season could after all lead to increased pressure for a HC change. That may especially be true if the perceived rift between Quinn and general manager Adam Peters increases over time.
Peters, Quinn and others arrived in 2024. The Commanders far exceeded expectations for the yr, with the team reaching the NFC title game and quarterback Jayden Daniels taking home Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors. Things went far different last season, with Daniels being limited to seven games and other key players missing considerable time as well. Washington finished 5-12, with Whitt being replaced by Quinn because the team’s defensive play-caller midway through the season. Quinn is not going to have as large of a presence on that side of the ball in 2026, with Daronte Jones handling DC responsibilities.
One executive who spoke with La Canfora pointed to Sean McDermott as a possible Quinn substitute in Washington. The longtime Bills coach was amongst many veteran staffers dismissed as a part of the 2026 cycle. He’ll spend the approaching season away from the sidelines upfront of a presumed return for the 2027 campaign. With a .662 winning percentage and eight playoff appearances across nine Buffalo years, McDermott will little question be among the many top candidates available on the market next yr.
Quinn, 55, was the pinnacle coach of the Falcons from 2015 through Week 5 of the 2020 season. That span included a visit to the Super Bowl but resulted in poor fashion with respect to Atlanta’s win-loss record. Quinn rebuilt his stock during a three-year stretch leading the Cowboys’ defense, and he enjoyed success upon returning to the pinnacle coaching ranks given how 2024 played out. Within the event of one other down yr in Washington, though, Quinn’s job security will grow to be a storyline to follow closely.