In addition to Kliff Kingsbury‘s differences with GM Adam Peters, it appears Dan Quinn also began to sour on his offensive coordinator. Although a report indicated Quinn was reluctant to fire his top staffers this week, some new reporting paints a different picture. 
Kingsbury and Quinn carried philosophical differences that led to the dismissal, ESPN.com’s John Keim notes. While some around the league are confused by this firing, Keim indicates Quinn knowing he is unlikely to receive a third chance as an NFL head coach prompted him to act earlier than he did in Atlanta.
Quinn sought better balance on offense, preferring the Commanders run more. The surprise coming out of the Kingsbury firing stems from Washington ranking fifth on offense during Jayden Daniels‘ Offensive Rookie of the Year season leading to a separation after the following campaign. Washington ranked ninth in rushing attempts but 25th in carries by running backs. Daniels’ run-game abilities got him in some trouble this season — a three-injury slate involving just seven games — and Marcus Mariota also has been a career-long dual threat. It appears Quinn will want more RB work in 2026.
Washington traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco just before the season and lost veteran Austin Ekeler to a torn Achilles tendon after only two games, but seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt showed flashes of being an effective replacement. The Commanders ranked fourth in rushing by season end, committing to the ground game more down the stretch. Perhaps newly promoted OC David Blough‘s offensive philosophy will align more with Quinn’s preference to run more, as he should be able to continue the momentum with which the team ended the season.
Concerning the other side of the ball, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported today that Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen was interviewed today for Washington’s defensive coordinator position. Cullen has served as a coordinator three times at the collegiate level — twice at Richmond and once at Indiana — and once in the NFL. Before arriving in Kansas City to coach future Hall of Famer Chris Jones and company, Cullen spent a year with the Jaguars in Urban Meyer‘s doomed season with the team.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that Quinn may look back at his old employers to kick the tires on former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris for the DC job in Washington. Morris and his own DC in Atlanta, Jeff Ulbrich, are both being considered as worthy candidates for open jobs across the NFL landscape.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
I could be wrong but I can’t remember anyone being inducted into the NFL HOF because they were a great philosopher 🙂