At 3-7, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is taking matters into his own hands.
The longtime defensive coordinator is taking over play-calling duties for Washington, Quinn announced Monday, replacing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
"When something's not working, we shift from the question of why isn't it working to what do we need to do to get it right? Right now, that'll call for some change," Quinn said. "I'll take over the role as the defensive coordinator and all that entails. Joe's been my right hand man for years and took the news like the pro he is. As a defensive staff including Joe, we're all consumed by getting it right, and that's exactly what we intend to do."
Whitt remains on staff but will surrender snap-by-snap decision-making to Quinn, who has twice risen from defensive coordinator roles to head coaching jobs over the last decade and a half.
Quinn's choice to take over play-calling duties comes at a time of desperation for Washington, a team that entered 2025 with high hopes but has veered far off course over the last month and a half, losing each of its last five games. Sunday's showing in a 44-22 loss to conference rival Detroit -- the same team the Commanders upset in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season -- stood as the second instance in which they allowed 44 points, but represented rock bottom for Quinn's unit.
"I think now, just after watching and reviewing the tape, we felt off," Quinn explained Monday. "I thought this is the time to add into that and lean in. Joe and I have got a great vibe together. We've worked together through our time in Dallas, and we'll lean back into that space where he'll help me along the way and all that leads up into the game and calling it."
While the move can be perceived as a demotion for Whitt, Quinn sees it as a necessary reorganization of responsibilities in order to maximize whatever potential remains in Washington's 30th-ranked defense. Whitt will provide Quinn with insight gained from his perspective in the booth during Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain, restoring a partnership that worked very well when the two served on Mike McCarthy's staff in Dallas from 2021-23.
"Joe will be involved all week obviously with the rest of the staff and planning and getting ready for the game," Quinn said. "On game day, he'll be in the press box with the vision on the coverage and the things we need to do. … I'm fortunate that we've been in that battle rhythm together during our time together in Dallas. We're going to try to slip into that spot as quickly as we can."
The change in defensive direction could produce a boost in production for Washington if its issues are schematic, but there's also no getting past the fact the Commanders feature the oldest roster in the NFL, have lost multiple key veteran defenders to injury and have been steamrolled in their last two games for a combined total of 82 points.
Washington can't fix its roster issues overnight, so this is the best remaining option available to them. We'll see if Quinn's decades of experience can pivot the Commanders back toward defensive competence.
