Commanders’ 6-15-1 Slide Puts Dan Quinn’s Job in Jeopardy
Owner Josh Harris weighs offensive coordinators to rescue Jayden Daniels' development after a 6-15-1 stretch.
The Washington Commanders have lost 15 of their last 22 games. A botched overtime sequence against the New York Giants in Week 5 accelerated a collapse that now threatens head coach Dan Quinn’s tenure heading into his third season, according to The Sporting News.
After finishing 12-5 during Quinn’s debut campaign in 2024, Washington sits at 6-15-1 ahead of Week 6 of the 2026 NFL regular season. Owner Josh Harris faces a decision on whether to pursue the 32nd head coach in franchise history if results do not change immediately.
Quinn was hired to install a defensive identity. The losses have forced front office conversations toward offensive play-callers instead. Any coaching search would likely center on finding someone capable of maximizing quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Offensive coordinator David Blough, 31, represents the internal option. A former journeyman backup out of Purdue, Blough has drawn attention for recent work stabilizing Daniels. Promoting him would mirror the Buffalo Bills’ strategy of replacing an older defensive-minded head coach with a younger offensive assistant.
Nate Scheelhaase, the 35-year-old Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator and former Illinois quarterback, carries a specific pedigree. Five previous Rams offensive coordinators — Mike LaFleur, Liam Coen, Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Schottenheimer — currently serve as NFL head coaches.
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, 30, left Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears to assume play-calling duties alongside Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Doyle replaces Todd Monken. Washington previously found success pairing Daniels with Kliff Kingsbury, who utilized similar mobile-quarterback schemes with Kyler Murray.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, 30, operates under Liam Coen developing Trevor Lawrence. Previous young coordinators like Sean McVay and Kellen Moore required time before franchises felt comfortable handing them full control.
Should Harris prefer retaining a defensive framework, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, 47, worked under Quinn in Atlanta and Dallas before helping build a championship-level defense alongside Mike Macdonald.
Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, 44, runs an active playmaking unit under Coen. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, 40, circulated as a candidate during the 2026 hiring cycle.
