Seattle Seahawks moving on from Pete Carroll, potential landing spot for Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
The Dallas Cowboys are not quite thinking about their offseason yet as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers on Wild Card weekend this Sunday in the NFC’s #2 vs. #7 matchup, but that hasn’t stopped one of their yearly offseason traditions from getting started early. That is – the constant speculation that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn may be leaving for a head coach opening elsewhere. Quinn has not been a head coach since 2015-20 with the Atlanta Falcons, but the work he’s done turning around the Dallas defense has made him a hot candidate each offseason since joining Mike McCarthy’s staff.
The brain trust of McCarthy, Quinn, and special teams coordinator John Fassel has given the Cowboys a gameday advantage that led the Cowboys to a 12-win season and another NFC East title. If this is the year their coherency and on-field talent leads to a deeper playoff run, teams on the outside of the playoffs looking in are understandably going to want a piece off their coaching prowess. Quinn has turned down head coaching offers in consecutive seasons citing “unfinished business” for a young and talented Cowboys defense that goes into the playoffs off of strong performances against the Lions and Commanders.
This unfinished business hasn’t deterred Quinn from at least taking multiple interviews each offseason though, already confirmed to be talking with the Commanders, Panthers, and Chargers about their HC vacancies. While all of these teams have varying levels of instability through their front office, and at the most important position on the field at quarterback, the Seahawks have won nine games in consecutive seasons, most recently with Geno Smith at QB. They are a team on the rise with an obvious tie to Quinn, who was the DC for their Super Bowl XLVIII win.
Seattle is expected to be interested in, amongst others, in Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, per sources. Quinn worked with Seattle from 2009-2010, and again 2013-14.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2024
#Cowboys DC Dan Quinn would quickly be considered a strong candidate to replace Pete Carroll, who now exits as HC.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2024
Current Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told the media he had no plans of moving on from his position, but in the fast moving world of the NFL that position changed suddenly today when it was announced Seattle plans on moving on. Their apparent commitment to trying to be more than just a fringe playoff team may appeal to Quinn, who has carefully waited for the right head coach opening, and now will have Dallas fans hoping to capitalize on what could be his last run with the Cowboys in this year’s playoffs.