Should Cowboys 'Trade' Commanders Coach Ron Rivera for Dan Quinn?

Former Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera could replace Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a defensive coordinator after Dan Quinn left them to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders.

There are a number of candidates for the vacancy, and one that should be considered is former Commanders coach Ron Rivera, who Quinn is taking over for.

Let's look at a hiring of Rivera as a sort of "trade'' involving Quinn.

Rivera, 62, has over 25 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including the last 13 as a head coach for the Carolina Panthers (2011-19) and Washington (2020-23). While Rivera ultimately failed to lead the Panthers and Commanders to where they wanted to go, he is still one of the most respected defensive voices in the NFL.

And he fits much of the profile of what Dallas has usually looked for. (See our EXCLUSIVE scoop from an NFL owner talking about Jerry's plan in that regard here.)

The Commanders defense was among the league's worst this past season in almost every category, but these statistics are somewhat warped.

The team traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young midway through the season, eliminating any kind of vaunted pass rush the Commanders had. The team also drafted poorly, especially in the secondary with 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.

The talent Rivera would have in Dallas is far superior to what he had to work with in Washington. Rivera could teach Micah Parsons some of his linebacker instincts he picked up while he played with the 1985 Chicago Bears, arguably the greatest defense in NFL history.

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The Cowboys are expected to interview Rivera next week, as CowboysSI.com was first to report, and while he is among a strong group of candidates, he has a lot to offer for Dallas ... which could make him the most qualified (and realistic) guy out of anyone the team will talk with.