Report: Chargers, Commanders, Panthers request to interview Cowboys DC Dan Quinn

The Dallas Cowboys are once again receiving a slew of permission to interview requests for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. After winning the AP’s Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2021 and coaching the Cowboys defense into the top unit for takeaways last season, Quinn is a hot name for teams to consider. The Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders have all reportedly requested permission to interview the former Atlanta Falcons head coach.

Each year it has seemed like Quinn would leave the Cowboys to once again dive into a head coaching job, but either due to lack of significant interest or Jerry Jones’ deal-making, he’s chosen to continue building under Mike McCarthy.

Asked about his interest in the head coach market last year, Quinn said that only an opportunity that “lights him up” will get him to walk away from Dallas.

“I’m having a blast here,” Quinn said, via Jon Machota. “If down the line there’s an opportunity that lights me up, we’ll discuss it then.”

The 53-year-old reportedly received a “substantial raise” the first time he chose to stick with the Cowboys. Jerry Jones may have to up the ante once again to keep him after the playoffs.

Cowboys lock in on Wild Card matchup vs Packers

The Dallas Cowboys are hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon for the first round of the playoffs. Green Bay has won three in a row and quarterback Jordan Love is fresh off of a performance with an 84.4% completion rate.

Like the Packers have been, the Cowboys need to peak this month. Quinn’s defense had a rough outing four games ago against the Bills, but the team has been “sharpening the ax” ever since.

“I think we’re making that progress,” Quinn said. “We’ve been talking about sharpening the ax. We’ll get tested again. That’s why going into the postseason, you have to have all of your s— together.”

This season, Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons set a new career-high for sacks with 14. Meanwhile, second-year cornerback DaRon Bland recorded a career-high nine interceptions with an NFL record five pick-sixes.

Under Quinn’s tutelage, the Cowboys defense has had 26 takeaways this season. It’s seven fewer than last year but they’re allowing just 18.5 points per game, which is an improvement. That figure is good for fifth in the league behind Baltimore, Kansas City, San Francisco and Buffalo. The Dallas defense managed to accomplish those feats even after losing star Trevon Diggs and Leighton Vander Esch to injury.