The Dallas Cowboys might have to replace respected defensive coordinator Dan Quinn this offseason. He’s a finalist for the final two head coach openings around the league with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks.
Seen as the early favorite to head back to Seattle after being an assistant under former head coach Pete Carroll, there is a chance Quinn leaves Dallas after three seasons.
If so, one big name around the league has popped up as a potential replacement. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that the Cowboys are keeping tabs on former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for the role of defensive coordinator.
Rivera, 62, was fired by the division-rival Commanders after a disastrous 4-13 campaign. The veteran coach posted a 26-40-1 record in four seasons as Washington’s head coach.
While Rivera struggled in his most-recent role, he’s widely respected as a defensive mind around the NFL. The former Chicago Bears star linebacker served as their defensive coordinator from 2004-06. He also served in the same role with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2008-10 before getting the Carolina Panthers’ head coach gig.
If Quinn does indeed leave the Cowboys for a head coach gig, filling his shoes will not be easy. Dallas’ defense finished fifth in both points and yards allowed this past season. It was also the fifth-ranked scoring defense in 2022.