Cowboys BREAKING: Dan Quinn Moves Up as ‘Spooked’ Commanders Can’t Hire Lions Coach

Dallas Cowboys BREAKING: Dan Quinn Moves Up as ‘Spooked’ Washington Commanders Can’t Hire Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson

FRISCO - Did the Washington Commanders just get “spooked”? And what does that mean to Dallas Cowboys?

The Commanders were narrowing down their head coaching search candidates, and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Cowboys defensive boss Dan Quinn - who is in D.C. interviewing right now - are finalists.

Well, were finalists. Johnson just pulled out, opting to stick with Detroit, Why?

An odd twist: Is new owner Josh Harris unwilling to pay Johnson’s asking price? And could that add to Quinn’s chance of leaving Dallas for Washington?

The former angle comes via ESPN “insider” Adam Schefter, who on Tuesday is reporting that Washington is “spooked” by the salary Johnson is asking for to take his first-ever head coaching gig.

That seems like pro-Washington face-saving spin. (The Washington Post offers a more sensible reason: Johnson wants to win a Super Bowl” - and Detroit gets him there faster than Washington does.)

Johnson and Quinn, who are both also on the short list in Seattle, bring much different things to the table. 

Quinn is 53 and a generation older than Johnson. Quinn has been a Super Bowl head coach and coordinator.

Johnson was surely considered a “flashier” candidate … and the Commanders just fired an older defensive guy in Ron Rivera.

Sources: Cowboys Want Quinn; Rivera Backup Plan?

The Commanders going “cheap” on a head coach? We must say, the report strikes us as odd given that new billionaire owner Josh Harris surely wants to separate himself from his scandalous bad-press predecessor Dan Snyder.

And maybe by getting Schefter to make Johnson look greedy, Harris saves face.

And Dan Quinn moves up the ladder.