-
Jon Keim, ESPN staff writer
Ashburn, Va. — The Washington Commanders are hiring Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their next coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Quinn replaced Ron Rivera, who was fired by new owner Josh Harris a day after the season ended. The Chiefs hired Adam Peters as general manager on Jan. Hired in 12. The moves represent the first significant hires on the football side for Harris, who finalized his purchase of the team in July.
Quinn, 53, served as Dallas' defensive coordinator the past three seasons. The Cowboys finished fifth in points and seventh in yards. Under Quinn, the Cowboys led the NFL with 93 forced turnovers.
Rivera is a possibility as Quinn's replacement in Dallas, as sources told ESPN that the Cowboys will meet with the former Commanders coach. Longtime Mike McCarthy assistant Joe Witt Jr. has been the Cowboys' passing game coordinator.
Quinn previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 to 2020, leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl after the 2016 season, when they lost to the New England Patriots in overtime after blowing a 28-3 lead.
Atlanta had won a combined 10 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival. The Falcons went 29-19 in Quinn's first three seasons as coach, but were 14-23 in his final two-plus seasons. He finished 43-42 overall and 3-2 in the postseason.
Prior to his time in Atlanta, Quinn was the defensive coordinator for two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. There, his defenses ranked first in points and yards allowed each season.
Dallas finished fifth in yards and scoring this season. The Cowboys have ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense in each of Quinn's three years.
Quinn will have a lot of work to do in Washington. The Commanders finished 4-13 last season, haven't won since 2016 and haven't won a playoff game since the 2005 season.
But the Commanders own the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, where they could draft a quarterback of the future, and five picks inside the top 100. They also have approximately $70 million in available cap space, with potential to build. At least over $15 million by releasing various players.
ESPN's Todd Archer contributed to this report.
