Commanders’ struggles at midseason have Dan Quinn searching for answers

The Washington Commanders' 2025 season, suffice to say, has not gone as anticipated.

A multitude of factors, most notably age and injuries, have turned a promising start into a 3-5 record at the midway point of the year, and the road doesn't get any easier. Washington will be the underdog in its next two games. If the bleeding can't stop after that, things could get ugly.

It is not yet at the point where head coach Dan Quinn's job status is in jeopardy. That would be a ridiculous projection of recency bias, given the Year 1 turnaround he engineered in Washington. But he will need to make the necessary adjustments to secure his long-term future with the Commanders.

Dan Quinn must find the right answers to ongoing 2025 season turbulence

Quinn was brought to Washington to change the culture first and foremost, and with coaches like him, there's always a tricky dilemma. He can get you out of a rough spot, as he did in 2024. But can he continue to build upon that and navigate the Commanders to sustained success?

It will depend on a few factors, the biggest of which is having the right people around him. Cracks have been exposed in the schemes of both offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and, especially, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. this season. Neither of them should be counting on being back in Washington next year.

Their positions are expendable. Quinn can't make the mistake of being too loyal.

In the meantime, it will fall on Quinn to be a steady force of leadership amid the Commanders' turmoil.

Last year, he was never tested this way. Washington's 2024 season was a magical thrill ride where everything went right. It was easy to heap praise on him then, but he can't be suitable for the culture only when things are going well. Quinn needs to rally his troops during times of adversity, as that's when you truly find out who people are.

Commanders fans should still have every reason to believe in Quinn. He's a proven winner. He's been to a Super Bowl and taken two different teams to the NFC Championship game. He's the type of all-business, no-nonsense figure Washington needed last year and still needs now.

But if he can't learn and adjust from the direction this season has taken, the narrative will quickly turn.

In this scenario, Quinn will be considered a "bridge coach." The guy before the guy. Avoiding that reality will start with an uncomfortable look in the mirror.