The Dallas Cowboys could experience significant turnover on their coaching staff this season. Whispers have already started surrounding head coach Mike McCarthy, whose future could hinge on the team's playoff success. It's far more likely, though, that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn departs for a head coaching job.
As of this writing, the Chargers, Panthers and Commanders have formally requested to interview Quinn for their head coach vacancies.
It's no surprise that Quinn is in-demand around the league. He took over a lousy defense when he was hired in 2021 and turned it into one of the best in the NFL, albeit with improved personnel. He took multiple HC interviews last offseason, but ultimately decided to stay in Dallas.
The Cowboys might not be as fortunate this time around and they'd be smart to already be crafting a shortlist of replacements for Quinn.
3. Wink Martindale, Giants DC
Wink Martindale reportedly intends to resign from his post as Giants defensive coordinator over a supposed rift with head coach Brian Daboll. It's another reason to laugh at the Giants, as Wink's defense kept their neck above water all season while Daboll's offense sputtered.
Incredibly, the Giants tied the Ravens, who might flaunt the NFL's best defense, for the best turnover differential this season at +12. New York also tied the Bills stifling defense with the most takeaways of any team at 31. Try wrapping your mind around that.
It's a testament to Martindale's defensive genius that a six-win team ranked so prominently in the turnover department, but his success extends beyond East Rutherford. The Ravens thrice led the league in defense when Martindale was their defensive coordinator.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford called Martindale "as challenging of a coordinator as there is to go against," before LA faced the Giants in Week 17. Martindale's blitz-focused scheme could move mountains on a Dallas defense that boasts playmakers at all three levels.
2. Anthony Weaver, Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach
Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald might be the most sought-after head coach candidate this offseason. He's done wonders with Baltimore's defense, but Weaver is considered a rising star in the league, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
A former defensive coordinator/DL coach with the Texans in 2020, Weaver has quietly ascended up the ranks with the Ravens the last three seasons. He became John Harbaugh's assistant head coach before the season to add to his defensive line coach title.
Under Weaver, Baltimore boasted the fourth-highest sack percentage (8.65%) during the regular season and Justin Madubuike has morphed into one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the league.
The Ravens front doesn't have much high-end talent, but Weaver has consistently maximized the potential of Odafe Oweh, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington and second-year DT Travis Jones. Even journeyman Jadeveon Clowney is having arguably the best season of his career.
Did we mention Baltimore excels at stopping the run, too? The Ravens coaching staff and front office is likely to get pilaged this offseason. The Cowboys would be smart to join in and pry Weaver from Charm City.
1. Joe Whitt Jr., Cowboys secondary/pass game coordinator
Whitt Jr. is the most likely replacement should Quinn leave. Many fans have pointed to Al Harris, Dallas' defensive backs coach, to replace Quinn, but Whitt is more qualified as Quinn's understudy for the last three seasons.
The Cowboys' secondary has overachieved after losing star cornerback Trevon Diggs for the season with a torn ACL. DaRon Bland set the pick-six record and will likely be an All-Pro, while Stephon Gilmore has quietly put together another excellent year. Even Jourdan Lewis has played the best ball of his career.
For the season, Dallas ranked top-five in allowed completion percentage and passing yards. They also ranked top-10 in passing touchdowns and yards per attempt. Not bad for a secondary that was without its top playmaker.
Under Whitt's tutelage, Cowboys fans have witnessed the unlikely rise of Jayron Kearse, a former seventh-round pick of the Vikings who didn't become a full-time starter until he signed with Dallas in 2021, as well as 2019 sixth-round pick Donovan Wilson. Additionally, Malik Hooker has become the most consistent player of the safety trio after a rocky start to his career with the Colts.
Quinn deserves immense credit for that, too, but Whitt has been Quinn's right-hand man for the last three seasons. He should be the Cowboys top choice to replace Quinn should the 53-year-old leave for a coaching job.