Dan Quinn is getting ripped for dumping former Cowboys draft pick again
By Jerry Trotta
Just as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been busy purging players that were drafted by his predecessor, Dan Quinn has been doing the same in Washington. While there's some logic behind Zimmer's moves, the same cannot be said for Quinn.
Last week, Quinn traded Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson to the Eagles. A first-round pick in 2022, Dotson will fill Philadelphia's vacant WR3 role. His arrival will allow DeVonta Smith to line up in the slot more. It makes next to zero sense why Quinn and GM Adam Peters would help a rival.
It felt like a matter of time until Quinn signed a former Cowboy that got released during roster cuts. Many folks believed cornerback Eric Scott would find his way to Washington, but it instead was former wideout Noah Brown who joined the Commanders after he was released by the Texans.
Brown is a quality pickup for Quinn, but the newly-minted Commanders head coach is getting destroyed by Cowboys fans for giving up on a player he drafted in Dallas.
Dan Quinn trading DT John Ridgeway is comedy gold for Cowboys fans
Amid the roster crunch, the Commanders traded defensive tackle John Ridgeway and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This marks the second time in three years that Quinn has kicked Ridgeway to the curb.
A fifth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2022, Ridgeway was waived in September of his rookie season. The move came as a shock to fans as Ridgeway was considered a promising DT to stash and develop on the practice squad. However, he was quickly claimed on waivers by Washington.
Ridgeway played 15 games for Dallas' rival that season, including four starts. He posted 24 tackles, one forced fumble and 18 defensive stops. He's nothing special, but for whatever reason Quinn does not appreciate his talent.
That's ironic, because Quinn was the Cowboys' defensive coordinator when Ridgeway was drafted two years ago. That isn't to say that Quinn was the sole reason Dallas drafted the player. Given the respect he had in the building, though, it's fair to assume he had major say in the pick.
Look, if Quinn doesn't think Ridgeway is a fit in his scheme he has every reason to want players that do. But why draft him in the first place then? Ridgeway has a mean streak and glass-eating personality. That's the kind of attitude a coach should want in a defensive tackle, no?
Whatever it is, Cowboys fans have full jurisdiction for ripping into Quinn over the move.