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On Monday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is set for a second interview with the Washington Commanders, his third head coaching interview scheduled this week.
With Washington joining Tennessee and Seattle on Quinn’s docket, he’s a candidate for half of the HC openings in the league. Of the franchises he’s considering, the most attractive situation for Quinn should be with his current division rival, Washington.
Tennessee, meanwhile, may be the least attractive option.
Rookie quarterback Will Levis had his moments in 2023, but there is little reason to believe the Titans have the pieces in place now to improve their bottom-six scoring offense. Longtime Titans star running back Derrick Henry seems to be leaving and Tennessee’s leading receiver in 2023 was 31-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, who, despite his playmaking ability, is definitely on the downswing of his career arc.
Outside of Hopkins’ 1,057 yards, tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo was the only Titan to eclipse 500 yards receiving.
Seattle finished 9-8 and is better set up for immediate success than Tennessee thanks to offensive weapons at wide receiver (DK Metcalf and Jaxson Smith-Njigba) and running back (Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet).
Quinn also has connections to the franchise from his time as DC there from 2013-14. But there is uncertainty in Seattle at quarterback with Geno Smith, who has proven to be a reliable and talented option, but who is also 33, not to mention the fact that his release in the 2024 offseason could save Seattle $13.8 million in cap space.
By staying out of Seattle and the NFC West, he would avoid playing two games a season against the San Francisco 49ers, a team his defense has struggled against in Dallas.
Washington has its own questions at quarterback, but it owns the second overall pick in the 2024 draft (compared to Seattle’s 16th) to headline nine total picks — two more than either other franchise he’s meeting with.
In Washington, Quinn would get a say in selecting a potential franchise-altering rookie quarterback as well as the opportunity to develop him from the beginning of his career. He also would have the flexibility to either surround that quarterback with other quality prospects or flip some picks for players ready to contribute right away.
He’d be going against head coaches he’s familiar with in the NFC East in Dallas (Mike McCarthy), Philadelphia (probably Nick Sirianni) and New York (Brian Daboll).
Between the possible haul available in the 2024 NFL Draft and Quinn’s familiarity with the best offenses in the division, Washington seems to be the right choice for him — if the Commanders offer him the job.
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