Cowboys Rumors: Dan Quinn Returning as DC After Cardinals, Colts, Broncos Interviews

The Dallas Cowboys are still dealing with the disappointment of a playoff loss, but they can at least take solace in knowing they reportedly don't have to find a new defensive coordinator.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that Dan Quinn told teams interested in him as a head coaching candidate that he plans on remaining with the Cowboys. While Quinn interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, Pelissero reported "his heart is in Dallas and he wants to win a Super Bowl there."

While some coaches may jump at the opportunity to move up the career ladder by going from defensive coordinator to head coach when presented with the chance, Quinn has already done so.

He was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 until he was fired five games into the 2020 campaign. The 2016 Falcons reached the Super Bowl, although they famously blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.

The 52-year-old was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks for two years prior to joining the Falcons and helped lead them to two Super Bowl appearances and one championship.

Dallas seized the opportunity to hire such a high-profile defensive coordinator going into the 2021 campaign, and it has finished seventh and fifth in points allowed under his watch the last two years.

Quinn's return will surely be a welcome one for the Cowboys, but his suitors might not be as content, as Pelissero called him a "top candidate" for the Cardinals' head coach opening.

That means the team coming off a 4-13 record with a new general manager in Monti Ossenfort is still facing some uncertainty. Some of that stems from how much time quarterback Kyler Murray will miss in the 2023 season as he recovers from a torn ACL, while some of it comes from the trade rumors around wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Regardless, it seems Quinn preferred to stay in Dallas and continue his work as a defensive coordinator rather than step in as a potential solution in Arizona.