The Dallas Cowboys are still searching for a defensive coordinator replacement. The Washington Commanders poached Dan Quinn away last month. Apparently, their running back, Tony Pollard, had no idea that Quinn left Arlington.
Recently, Tony Pollard appeared on the Pat McAfee Show. The Cowboys running back revealed that he was not updated on recent news. The host of the show, Pat McAfee, asked Pollard about Quinn’s departure, which perplexed him for a moment. The 26-year-old had a surprising answer waiting for everyone. This is what Pollard said:
You know what’s crazy? I haven’t been on social media. I just found out right now.
Tony Pollard via Pat McAfee Show
Quinn was hired by the Washington Commanders as their head coach a week ago. In all fairness, Pollard will become a free agent this offseason after playing the 2023 campaign on the franchise tag. So it’s not out of place that he wasn’t keeping tabs on what’s happening with the Cowboys.
It’s entirely possible that when the 2024 season starts, he will don a different franchise’s jersey. Quarterback Dak Prescott could receive a contract extension, and it remains to be seen if the team has enough cap space to give Pollard a lucrative contract.
Tony Pollard has faith in Dan Quinn’s ability to succeed in Washington
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Pollard in the fourth round of 2019. Only in the last two years have Quinn managed to show his worth to the team. Pollard recorded back-to-back 1,000 rushing yards. But his scoring form last season dipped compared to the 2022 campaign. That year, he had a combined 12 touchdowns (rushing nine and receiving 3). But in 2023, he only had six rushing touchdowns.
Although he wasn’t part of the defense, Pollard spent two seasons learning under Quinn. The 53-year-old transformed the Cowboys, who had the highest-scoring defense with 503 points in 2023. Pollard claimed that Quinn would do well with the commanders. This is what he said:
I don't doubt Dan Quinn at all in whatever he's doing. head coach, defensive coordinator, whatever it is. He's going to find a way to get the most out of the guys that he coaches. He does a great job just being relatable to the guys and just being there for them. Tony Pollard via Pat McAfee
Quinn was previously the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2015–2019. His biggest achievement with the Falcons was leading the team to the Super Bowl in 2017. However, they lost the game to the New England Patriots, who came back from 28-3.
However, his situation with the commanders is very different. They had a 4-13 record last season. The new Josh Harris regime has tasked Quinn with incorporating a winning culture in a very tough division that includes the Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants.
Washington does have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, which they could use to draft a quality quarterback. They also have the most cap space of any NFL team, at $74 million. Only time will tell if Quinn could turn the team around.
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