Dan Campbell isn’t surprised by the Washington Commanders’ transformation from the NFL’s second-worst team in 2023 to reaching the divisional round in 2024, crediting their head coach, Dan Quinn.
The Detroit Lions head coach expressed admiration for Quinn on Monday, saying he has “a lot of respect” for him and his leadership style. Washington, now 13-5 with 12 regular-season wins, drastically improved from last year’s 4-13 record. That poor finish earned them the No. 2 overall pick, which they used to draft LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, a former Heisman Trophy winner.
NFC South connections
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Dan Quinn,” Campbell said. “I’ve known Dan from afar. We’re not close friends, but I’ve followed him for a while. Back when he coached in Atlanta, I faced him twice a year in the NFC South.”
Quinn, Atlanta’s head coach from 2015-20, competed against Campbell when the latter was the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints. After Atlanta dismissed Quinn, he became the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for three seasons, consistently fielding top-seven scoring defenses.
“You respect what guys like him do,” Campbell continued. “Joe Whitt, their defensive coordinator, and others on his staff ensure the team is well-prepared. They’re competitive and disciplined, which is why their success doesn’t surprise me. Dan knows how to build a team and instill the right attitude.”
Coach of the Year candidates
Campbell and Quinn are strong contenders for NFL Coach of the Year. Campbell led the Lions to a 15-2 record, securing the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. Meanwhile, Quinn orchestrated a rapid turnaround in Washington, transforming the team’s outlook in just one season.
Excited to prepare for a new opponent, Campbell noted that Detroit didn’t face Washington during the 2024 regular season. Their last meeting was in September 2022, where the Lions won 37-26. “Facing an unfamiliar opponent is thrilling because neither side knows the other completely. It’s a fresh start, and that’s exciting,” Campbell said.
Aggressive strategies on fourth down
Campbell plans to analyze Quinn’s aggressive fourth-down strategy. Against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Washington attempted five fourth-down conversions, succeeding three times, including a critical fourth-quarter touchdown. This season, the Commanders tied for 17th in attempts (23) but led the league in conversion rate at 87%. In comparison, the Lions ranked fourth in attempts (33) and seventh in conversion rate (66.7%).
“I haven’t studied all their games yet,” Campbell admitted. “I know the stats and saw they went for it five times, but I need to evaluate the contexts. Do they prefer running or passing in those situations? They’ve got a mobile quarterback, which gives them versatility. It’s something I’ll dig into as I prepare.”
Campbell acknowledged that Washington’s approach has been instrumental in their success and anticipates an intriguing matchup between the two teams.
