– ⚒️ Washington’s search continues as Dan Quinn’s staff shuffle deepens: January 6 saw DC Joe Whitt Jr. fired, and the day before, Kliff Kingsbury left the offensive side. Quinn now faces hiring two new coordinators. 🔄
– 🟦🟥 Atlanta’s defense steadies despite an 8-9 record; they limited passing yards well and invested in edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., contributing to 16 sacks combined. Von Miller paced Washington with 9 sacks this season. 🏈
– 🧭 With Ulbrich off the table, Washington is weighing several other candidates:
– Brian Flores: Washington has interviewed him; Flores is expected to remain with Minnesota if he doesn’t land a head coaching job. 🧠
– Jonathan Gannon: Former Cardinals head coach, now eyeing a coordinator role to rebuild his reputation; uses a quarters defense adaptable to 4-3 or 3-4 fronts and emphasizes the secondary. 🧩
– Karl Scott: Seahawks’ passing game coordinator/DB coach; strong pass defense (11 times holding opponents under 200 yards in 2025), but he has never called defensive plays. 🧠
– Patrick Graham: Former Raiders DC; fits an aggressive Quinn-style approach, relies on freeing linebackers with multiple large DLs to pressure and cover. 🧗
– 🛡 Washington’s defense allowed 26.5 points per game last season and was vulnerable through the air; a new coordinator could help revitalize the unit and close out games like in 2024. 📈
– 🔎 Bottom line: Ulbrich’s retention by Atlanta reshapes Washington’s DC search, with Flores likely staying in Minnesota and a handful of other candidates—Gannon, Scott, and Graham—being considered for a more dynamic, scheme-diverse defense. 🧭💼
