'We Go On!' Can Cowboys Hire A D-Coordinator Better Than Dan Quinn?

Jerry Jones knew that Dan Quinn finding another head coaching job was a possibility from the moment he was hired to serve as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator.

Recent developments across the NFL coaching scene mean that the Dallas Cowboys will face their friends when they battle their rivals.

Things might get awkward enough when they face the Philadelphia Eagles, whose offense is now overseen by longtime Pokes presence Kellen Moore. But Dallas recently learned that it will have to deal with former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's insight from a new perspective, as the 53-year-old is the newest head coach of the Washington Commanders. 

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"Well, they know us pretty well don't they?" Jones said when addressing Sunday's 2026 FIFA World Cup developments, per Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site. "We've always known that there's nobody living that you don't have to play without. The Cowboys go on."

Go on, they will, but without one of the architects of some of their recent finest hours. ... with this thought, in part: Why sacrifice? Why succumb?

Why not replace Quinn and be even better on defense in 2024?

Though things ended on a sour note, the Cowboys afforded Quinn redemption after his rollercoaster term at the helm of the Atlanta Falcons (2015-20).

In three seasons (2021-23), Quinn's units finished no worse than seventh in points allowed after placing 28th the immediate season before. Dallas reached the playoffs in each of those three campaigns while DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, and Micah Parsons all enjoyed breakout showings that garnered national recognition. 

Jones remarked that he knew that losing Quinn to de facto free agency from the moment he first stepped into Dallas' coaching suite. 

"I felt ultimately two years ago that Dan wanted a head coaching job, so it doesn't surprise me that he's landed a head coaching job," Jones recalled. "I couldn't look at a crystal ball and see what direction that might go back then, but it doesn't surprise me (especially considering) the fact that he's got head coaching credentials (and) been to a Super Bowl."

Dan Quinn EXCLUSIVE: Coach Explains His Cowboys 'Happiness'

Quinn will no doubt have his work cut out for him in Landover: the Commanders have had more nicknames than playoff wins over the past three decades and are coming off a four-win slog that led to Ron Rivera's ousting. There is, however, no shortage of offseason resources: Washington is the current owner of the second pick in the upcoming draft and has the biggest free agency budget with over $73.6 million in cap space, the most in the NFL.