Commanders may have familiar name as eventual replacement for Dan Quinn in mind

Whether or not Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is on the hot seat heading into the 2026 NFL season is bound to be a storyline that hovers over the Commanders throughout the summer. 

For a piece published on Monday morning, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US shared that "several executives from rival clubs believe [Quinn] is in a make-or-break scenario" as it pertains to his status with the Commanders. La Canfora also spoke with one unnamed longtime NFL personnel executive who thinks that Commanders ownership may view a certain former Buffalo Bills head coach as a potential replacement for Quinn.

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"Keep an eye on Sean McDermott there next year," the executive said about the Commanders' head-coach position. "Just remember who told you first." 

Meanwhile, an unnamed general manager told La Canfora that "he believes the Commanders are seriously considering making a head coaching change this winter." 

McDermott confirmed this past spring that he "absolutely" wants to return to coaching at the highest level at some point down the road. While he guided the Bills to eight playoff trips during his nine seasons in charge until he was fired shortly after the club's brutal 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of this year's postseason tournament, he never led Buffalo to a single Super Bowl appearance. 

As for Quinn, he guided the 2024 Commanders to a 12-5 record and to a trip to the NFC Championship Game. However, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was then limited to just seven starts last season before he was shut down for the remainder of the campaign after he aggravated a previously suffered elbow injury. Washington ultimately ended Week 18 with a record of 5-12. 

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"Commanders general manager Adam Peters wields considerable power with ownership," La Canfora added about the Commanders, "and Quinn’s staff was largely gutted this offseason, including both of his coordinators. ...When a team makes as sweeping staff changes as Washington did, the industry views that as putting the head coach on notice."

Daniels seemingly is healthy and doing all he can leading up to training camp to get his body ready for what he hopes will be a bounce-back season. If he reclaims the form that made him the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award winner for the 2024 campaign, he may have Quinn as a head coach through at least 2027.