Seahawks Hire Mike Macdonald; What's Next for Commanders?
The Washington Commanders are on an island as the only team without a head coach after the Seattle Seahawks hired Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The Commanders were eyeing an offensive-minded coach like Ben Johnson and Bobby Slowik, but then they chose to remain with their current teams. Macdonald was Washington's next top choice, but with him flocking to Seattle, it puts the Commanders behind the 8-ball, forcing them to take someone that wasn't in their top group of candidates.
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Commanders still have a strong group of candidates that they have interviewed. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver all interviewed with the team this week ... and any of them could get the job. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was also interviewed as an in-house candidate.
There's a chance the team could look outside of that group for its next coach. Perhaps established coaches like Mike Vrabel or Bill Belichick could make sense, but they would need to interview with the team for a first time before any real interest can be gauged.
Ultimately, the Commanders took a risk by waiting out for coaches who went deep in the playoffs. The risk failed and now they have to go back to the drawing board in hopes that they get someone they want.
That being said, as the only team left without a coach, the Commanders can choose to take as much time as they want in hiring their next guy.
