Dan Quinn’s return is ultimate ‘win-win’ for the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys just experienced the worst-case scenario this past Sunday, as they were sent home early in the NFL Playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. No matter when or at what point you get sent home, anything short of winning it all has to be looked at as “the worst”.
In any event, though, and in moving on toward the future, they did just get some news that is the absolute “best case scenario” for them. That news? Dan Quinn spurned multiple head coaching opportunities — he secured second interviews with the Cardinals and Colts, and was in the running for the Broncos gig — to return as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for a third season in 2023.
And it’s not just the “best case”, as if that isn’t good enough, but it’s the ultimate win-win for the Dallas Cowboys. Here’s why.
As noted by Quinn above, his return ensures the Cowboys will have that continuity and a chance to have the same elite-ish defense in 2023. A “championship defense” according to the man himself. Though up and down all year, Quinn’s defense performed like a title-winning defense in the playoffs.
And with that, you hope that the Cowboys actually do win it all. That occurrence would likely be enough to convince Quinn to run it back once more, especially if one Jerry Jones opens up the checkbook, which everyone knows he’ll do.
Just spoke with Dan Quinn, who tells me:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 26, 2023
“Staying in Dallas. I was unsettled to leave and having fun here. Sole focus of playing championship defense in 2023!”
The #Cowboys’ DC will once again be one of the most sought after head coaching candidates during next year’s cycle.
Could Dan Quinn become the Cowboys head coach if Mike McCarthy is fired next season?
If the Cowboys do come up short on the big stage again in 2023, Mike McCarthy is sure to go. And unless Quinn totally takes a nosedive, which you highly doubt based on his track record over his first two seasons as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, hell be right there waiting to take over as Dallas’ head man.
Quinn and his defense have proven to be elite, which points to two things over any others. With a good offensive coordinator, that’s a winning formula.
But that ability to be elite in Dallas is also a by-product of guys like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch (a pending free agent), and Trevon Diggs, whom Quinn has absolutely gotten the most out of.
When it comes to Quinn’s retention along this Dallas Cowboys staff, it was the ultimate win-win for this team, organization, and Jerry Jones.
After nearly seeming to shed tears in the postgame following the defeat to San Francisco, he’s taken his first right step toward putting himself back in that spot next year. Hopefully, the results aren’t the same.
