The Washington Commanders are 3-7 and have lost five straight games and coach Dan Quinn knows changes need to be made to turn things around
08:28 ET, 15 Nov 2025
Marcus Mariota
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Marcus Mariota has filled in at QB for Dan Quinn's Commanders(Image: Getty Images)
It's been a campaign of mixed results for the Washington Commanders compared to last year when the franchise shocked many by making it to the NFC Championship Game.
Sitting at 3-7, second-year Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is shaking things up. The 55 year old, formerly the celebrated defensive coordinator behind the Seattle Seahawks' legendary "Legion of Boom" defense, will now handle defensive play-calling duties from current coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
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This move will stretch Quinn's responsibilities thinner, potentially reducing his oversight across other areas of the squad. Current starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, stepping in for injured Jayden Daniels, doesn't believe this switch will impact the offensive unit. It comes as the Commanders star who punched an opponent learned his final punishment.
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"Not at all, honestly," the former No. 2 overall draft pick responded when questioned about any noticeable changes.
"And that's a credit to him because I think as a head coach now that you're taking some of those play calling duties over, you would think kind of firsthand that maybe he would, things would be a little different.
"But it's been very much the same, and it's a credit to Dan and the defensive staff to allow that to happen, and for us as an offense, it's been status quo and continue to work and build, and I think we're excited to get things going and practice," Mariota continued.
Washington, enduring a five-game skid, has surrendered the second-highest yards per play in the NFL (6.4) and the fourth-most points per game (28.0).
Last season, the Commanders were ranked 18th in points conceded. Injuries and a dip in form have been the main issues.
Washington Commanders training camp
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Joe Whitt Jr has been removed of his defensive playcalling duties(Image: Getty Images)
Defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr and Dorance Armstrong, both expected to be starters, have been sidelined for over a month.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, had a rough start to the season before an injury took him out of play. Recently, rookie second-round cornerback Trey Amos was put on injured reserve.
"When something's not working, we shift from the question of why it's not working to what we need to get it right. And right now, that will call for some change," Quinn stated about the situation. "I'll take over the role as defensive coordinator and all that entails.
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"Joe has been my right-hand man for years and he took the news like the pro he is," he continued. "As a defensive staff, including Joe, we're all consumed with getting it right, and that's what we intend to do."