Cowboys Rumors: Dan Quinn Expected to Return as DC If Not Hired as HC Elsewhere

Returning to be the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator in 2024 is reportedly on the table for Dan Quinn.

According to ESPN's Ed Werder, Quinn is expected to be the DC under head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas once again next season provided he is not hired to be a head coach elsewhere.

Werder noted that Quinn, who has spent the past three seasons as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, has completed two of his five scheduled head coaching interviews thus far.

The 53-year-old Quinn has enjoyed tremendous success throughout his career as a defensive coordinator, starting with his two-year run as the Seattle Seahawks' DC in 2013 and 2014.

Seattle's defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL in both total defense and points allowed in each of his two seasons as defensive coordinator, and the Seahawks went to the Super Bowl each year, winning one of them.

Quinn followed that up with a six-year run as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, posting a 43-42 record with two playoff appearances.

Atlanta reached the Super Bowl in 2016 and held a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots, however, Quinn's Falcons were on the wrong end of the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, falling 34-28 in overtime.

After his tenure in Atlanta ended, McCarthy hired Quinn to be the Cowboys' defensive coordinator in 2021, and he has thrived in that role.

Dallas ranked seventh in scoring defense in 2021 and fifth in 2022. The Cowboys' best defensive season under Quinn came this year, as they were fifth in both total defense and scoring defense.

That performance earned Quinn a great deal of head coaching buzz, although it is fair to wonder if Dallas' defensive showing in the playoffs negatively impacted how teams view him.

Despite being the No. 2 seed playing at home, the Cowboys were decimated by quarterback Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

The Packers won the game 48-32 and racked up 415 yards of total offense. Love went 16-of-21 for 272 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while running back Aaron Jones rushed for 118 yards and three scores.

That loss put McCarthy firmly on the hot seat, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced Wednesday that he would bring McCarthy back for a fifth season as Dallas' head coach.

Given how well McCarthy and Quinn worked together during the 2023 regular season, Dallas is probably still the best spot for Quinn if he doesn't receive another shot to become a head coach.

Quinn has already interviewed with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, and he has head coaching interviews lined up with the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Seahawks as well.