When Dan Quinn left the Dallas Cowboys after three seasons as defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, it was clear that some would follow.
Whether it be Quinn’s fellow coaches or players, Quinn was popular in Dallas, with star linebacker Micah Parsons often discussing Quinn’s impact on him. Unfortunately for Washington, though, Parsons is not available.
Since Quinn was named head coach, Dallas secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. and assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd followed him to the Commanders. Whitt is Washington’s new defensive coordinator, while Floyd is the assistant defensive line coach. Quinn tried to pry other assistants from Dallas, but the Cowboys refused to give Washington permission to interview them.
Free agency opened last week, and Quinn wasted no time looking to his former team to help his new team. On the first day of the legal tampering period, the Commanders quickly agreed to terms with center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong. Then Washington agreed to terms with defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
On Sunday, Washington signed cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. A former first-round pick of the Dolphins in the 2020 NFL draft, Igbinoghene spent last season in Dallas.
Last week, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones spoke about those coaches and players following Quinn to Washington.
“Yeah, I mean that’s part of being, if you choose to go to Washington, Philadelphia or New York, that’s what we’re going to have,” Jones said. “It’s nothing but respect off the field, but when it comes time to compete against each other, then that’s what’s going to happen. It’s no surprise when we were having our farewells to him, which no one thinks more of DQ than our organization and what he brought to the table here. And obviously, the players enjoyed playing for Dan, so it doesn’t surprise me a bit that they (want to follow him).”
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on former Cowboys players joining Dan Quinn in Washington pic.twitter.com/cPoVqRo4q2
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 15, 2024
Jones was speaking of how fans were upset with Dallas’ disappointing offseason thus far after his father, owner and GM Jerry Jones, said the Cowboys would be “all in” this offseason. The Cowboys have watched multiple key players depart while remaining mostly inactive in free agency.
