Commanders head coach addresses future of defensive play-calling

Dan Quinn took over the defense midseason, and the results have improved. Now, he's opening the door to a permanent change in 2026.

Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn walks off the field after the loss to Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

It’s no secret that the Washington Commanders have struggled on both sides of the ball. With those struggles came drastic changes in effort for the team to find steady consistency.  

A Midseason Shift

Ahead of their international Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn made a significant decision by taking over defensive play calling duties from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The move marked a notable internal shift this season and immediately raised questions on how the defense would look going forward.

A Possibility for 2026

According to Quinn, there is a possibility that he will keep the play calling duties next year. That decision will depend on how comfortable he is with the weekly rhythm of handling both head coaching responsibilities and defensive strategy as the season winds down.

Quinn says there's a possibility that he will keep the play-calling duties next year, will depend largely on how comfortable he is in the battle rhythm as the season comes to an end and then evaluating that potential in the offseason.

— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) December 1, 2025

Since Quinn stepped in, fans have noticed a clear difference in how the Commanders defense has performed over the last couple of weeks.

Before he took over the play-calling sheet, the unit was lackluster and frequently criticized for its poor execution. The defense entered week 12 ranked among the worst in the league, ranking thirtieth in total defense and twenty-ninth in points allowed.

Washington defense this season has been defined by missed assignments, blown coverages, and inconsistency, reflecting a defense that has struggled to find its rhythm.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Under Quinn’s direction, the defense has shown improvement. Opposing offenses are converting fewer third downs, and the Commanders have held teams to fewer points per game compared to earlier this season.

Schematic Adjustments

Using his prior defensive coordinator experience, Quinn has been shifting the defense away from heavy man coverage and toward more zone coverage. This adjustment seems to better suit the strengths of the defense and allowed players to play fast and more confidently in their positions.

With the recent defensive improvements, the focus now shifts to what this means for Joe Whitt Jr. moving forward. The unusual midseason change made it clear that immediate changes were necessary, but long-term changes have not been finalized.

For now, Quinn’s decision has given the Commanders defense a needed spark as they finish the final stretch of the season. The coming weeks will show whether the improvement continues and whether the new approach becomes the foundation for next season.

READ MORE: Why Dan Quinn is proud of Commanders QB Marcus Mariota

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 season.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders announce coaching staff changes after Tavita Pritchard leaves for Stanford

• Commanders shift focus to future health of Jayden Daniels

• QB coach Tavita Pritchard to exit Commanders to become Stanford HC

• Jayden Daniels return game for Commanders likely coming sooner than expected