Dan Quinn’s seat could not have been any colder after 2024. It was the coach’s first season at the helm for the Commanders, and the team went on a surprising run all the way to the NFC Championship Game. Jayden Daniels also won Rookie of the Year, and vibes were higher than ever for the franchise.
Unfortunately, with high expectations, the team floundered in 2025. Multiple key players went down with injuries, including Daniels, and that led the team to a disappointing 5-12 record. The Commanders worked so hard not to be the laughingstock of the league, which made it so disappointing to have such a bad season again.
One of the more discouraging parts of 2025 was the defense, which is Quinn’s specialty. The pass defense was especially bad, and Quinn ended up making a change at defensive coordinator. It’s clear that 2026 is a crucial season for Quinn, and people around the league are taking notice.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports recently identified the five coaches on the hottest seats, and Quinn came in at No. 5. Regarding Quinn’s placement, Dajani offered the following:
Even if the defense improves, there’s no denying Daniels is the engine that makes this team go. As a rookie, he became the second quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, while racking up more total touchdowns (37) and total yards (5,416) than any first-year player in NFL history. If Daniels struggles to stay on the field, the Commanders will struggle to win games. Another losing season could lead Adam Peters to make a change.
As Dajani mentioned, Quinn’s future is essentially in the hands of Daniels. If the young quarterback plays like a star again, the Commanders will win and his job will be safe. If Daniels struggles or deals with injuries again, it’s hard to imagine the Commanders winning enough games even if the defense is improved.
As long as the Commanders show improvement, though, I think Quinn is safe. He has two new coordinators, and assuming the season doesn’t go absolutely horribly, I imagine they’ll get more than a year to figure things out. It certainly seems like Quinn and Daniels have a solid relationship, too, which could only help the coach.
There’s no doubt, though, that 2026 is crucial. One bad season can be a fluke, but multiple bad seasons would be a trend.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: How hot is Dan Quinn’s seat entering 2026 season?
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