Head coach Dan Quinn has come under fire this week. His decision to leave quarterback Jayden Daniels in the firing line versus the Seattle Seahawks blew up spectacularly, and the Washington Commanders will now be without their superstar quarterback for the foreseeable future.
This has dominated headlines. Daniels is the franchise player now being questioned for his durability — or lack thereof. However, the Commanders' defense was once again nothing short of an abomination against the Seahawks, which continues an alarming trend that the No. 2 pick in 2024 hasn't been able to mask this time around.
Some fans were calling for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to be relieved of his duties. Quinn stated emphatically that he isn't planning on making any such changes in season, but he did quietly turn up the heat with a notable development that went largely unnoticed in the grand scheme of things.
Commanders are moving Joe Whitt Jr. from the booth to the sidelines in Week 10
Instead of calling this weekend's game from the booth, Quinn confirmed that Whitt will be down on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in Week 10. This is the first time fans have seen this method deployed, indicating that the head coach wants to keep a closer eye on how things are unfolding and on any adjustments being made.
This is a telltale sign that pressure is building. Quinn is a loyal guy. He's got a close connection to Whitt from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. Firing him would hurt, but things couldn't continue without taking some action.
Quinn wants Whitt close to him. The Lions have a high-octane offense capable of putting up points in a hurry. They will also have revenge on their mind after Washington upset them in the playoff divisional round last season. They also face serious injury issues, with morale at an all-time low. And the head man wants his coordinator front and center, rather than hiding in the background.
This will also give Quinn the chance to step in and make changes if he feels like they're needed. Time will tell on that, but it's becoming apparent that Whitt is going to be micromanaged a lot more from here on.
And if things don't improve, Whitt's time in Washington will probably end once the campaign concludes, just one year after he received a head coaching interview from the New York Jets.
Things change quickly in the NFL. Whitt is finding that out to his cost.