The Dallas Cowboys are trying to figure out who will be their defensive coordinator in 2026, but they aren’t the only NFC East team facing that question. Former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn is in the same situation, currently going through the interview process to fill their role with the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders' defense looked a lot like the Cowboys’ did last season, ranking toward the bottom of the NFL in several statistical categories. After firing Joe Whitt Jr., Quinn is trying to replicate some of the success he saw in Dallas that helped him land the head coaching job in Washington ahead of the 2024 season.
With that in mind, it wasn’t a surprise to see ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler report that the Commanders have interviewed former Cowboys and current Chicago Bears’ defensive backs coach Al Harris for the position to try and recreate some of the magic the duo had in Dallas.
Dan Quinn and Al Harris Could Have a Cowboys Reunion to Fix Commanders Defense
Harris was one of Quinn’s top assistants during his time with the Cowboys. Serving in the role beginning in 2020, Harris was joined by Quinn a year later and made creating turnovers one of his specialties. According to the Bears’ official site, Harris helped the Cowboys' defensive backs rack up 72 interceptions from 2021-24, and he took that knowledge to Chicago on Ben Johnson’s staff this season.
The results were outstanding as the Bears led the NFL with 23 interceptions and an 18.3% turnover rate. Nestled inside those numbers are several reclamation projects, including former Cowboys draft pick Nahshon Wright, who forced eight total turnovers with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Harris also helped safety Kevin Byard lead the league with seven interceptions and his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selections since 2021.
Having a coach that can create playmakers is something Quinn desperately needs in Washington. The Commanders had one of the league’s worst pass defenses last season, allowing 242.5 yards per game. But the NFL’s fifth-highest average could have been bailed out by more turnovers.
Creating turnovers was something the Commanders did not excel in as their eight interceptions were tied for 25th last season with the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders. Their 5.3% turnover rate was the second-lowest, ahead of the New York Jets at 1.6%.
Being associated with a team that became the first in NFL history to fail to record an interception isn’t a good thing, and Quinn’s decision to consider Harris may be related to that stat. With former Cowboy Trevon Diggs also available as a free agent, there are several Dallas connections that Quinn could try to tap into to fix the problem, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if hiring Harris was the first step in that process.