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Cowboys Reveal True Feelings About DQ

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Goss | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 5:40 PM ET

FRISCO — Around this time a year ago, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders were headed in completely opposite directions during the Thanksgiving season. Dallas was pushing for a spot in the NFC Playoffs while Washington bottomed out for a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Flash forward and the teams have the roles reversed. Sunday the Cowboys and Commanders will write the next chapter in their rivalry, this time with former members of the Star taking the field on the opposite sideline.

Most notably, the Cowboys match up with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn for the first time since he left Dallas for a promotion. Quinn spent three seasons with the Cowboys before taking the job in Washington.

There are some who want to get one back on their former coach, but the players who learned under Quinn harbor no animosity toward their turned rival. Cowboys safety Malik Hooker played under Quinn for three seasons and his views have not changed.

"In the offseason he still reaches out and checks in from time to time," Hooker said Wednesday. "Q always going to be one of the favorite guys in my book ...he's one of the best coaches I've had and I still love him like a mentor as he was here."

Before leaving the Cowboys, Quinn had become a popular figure in the locker room. That respect carried over after his tenure in Dallas as he took four former players, including two on the defensive side (Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.) with him to Washington.

With the way his time in Dallas came to an end, Quinn could be looking to enact some revenge. His Commanders are stationed as double-digit favorites to beat their divisional foe Sunday afternoon.

But regardless of the outcome, it appears his former players are not holding any ill will against him.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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