Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn walks up the tunnel during warm up before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Commanders player praises head coach Dan Quinn

Originally posted on Washington Commanders on SI
By Joanne Coley | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Heading into the first preseason game, New England Patriots offensive lineman Morgan Moses knows all too well about the Washington Commanders.

A former piece on the team's offensive line from 2014 to 2020, Moses now faces his former team from the other side of the field, but he’s been watching their transformation closely.

Moses says the change with the Commanders has been noticeable, and he credits much of it to head coach Dan Quinn’s leadership. “We’ve always had a talented team,” Moses said, reflecting on his time in Washington. “But now they’ve got a coach that can lead by example. He’s a players’ coach. And people want to follow him. That makes the process a lot easier.”

For a franchise that has been chasing stability for years, Quinn’s ability to connect with players, earn their trust, and hold them accountable seems to be the recipe Washington needed. “That’s always a beautiful thing,” Moses added. “They’ve done a great job with drafting and bringing guys in.”

Former Washington OL Morgan Moses, now with the Patriots, speaks on the culture change with the Burgundy and Gold

"Now they got a coach who can lead by example... people want to follow him"@JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/9WuVmw7fyd
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) August 6, 2025

That’s a nod to both the coaching staff and front office, whose recent roster-building efforts have brought new life to the franchise. The Commanders' draft classes and offseason moves suggest a new mentality where it blends young talent with the steady presence of veterans, creating a balance the team has long been missing.

Moses also pointed to the deep-rooted history associated with wearing Burgundy and Gold. “I grew up in that Washington–Dallas Thanksgiving game,” he said. “Anytime Washington and Dallas are doing good, the NFL is a better place.”

From afar, Moses sees what many Commanders fans have been waiting for: a player-focused head coach, a front office committed to building a sustainable franchise and culture.

Now with the right pieces, the Commanders are building something designed to last, and even those outside the organization, like Moses, are taking notice.