Last week, word leaked out that Dan Quinn would be taking over as head coach of the Washington Commanders, adding another twist to the NFL coaching wheel. At first, it looked like Quinn would play for the Cowboys for at least another season after rumors circulated that Washington was going to sign offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions. After Johnson and Washington’s once-very-close deal fell through, Quinn will take the helm as head coach of the Commanders. The question of who would succeed Quinn as his official departure was announced soon afterward became more heated. Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, newly fired Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, and Dallas’ secondary and passing game coordinator Joe Whitt (who has been with the team since 2021) were among the names that were given serious thought.
Why would Joe Whitt leave a championship-contending Dallas team to oversee one of the NFL’s worst defenses for a team in dire need of a complete rebuild? On the other hand, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and DaRon Bland are the three All-Pro defenders currently under contract for the Cowboys. In two of the previous three seasons, the Cowboys defense has also led the NFL in takeaways. Even more so for a candidate who has managed their development over the past few years, the Cowboys appear to be a desirable defense to manage given the talent on the roster. Whitt has good reason to decline it, though—not everything that shines is gold. Let’s make some assumptions.
From 2008 to 2018, Whitt and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy collaborated during their time in Green Bay. That’s a lot of time to spend working with someone to fully comprehend their preparation, coaching values, and habits—all of which have been questioned regarding McCarthy. Whitt’s decision to leave was probably influenced by McCarthy’s contract status with the Cowboys, as there is no assurance that McCarthy will remain the coach after this season. McCarthy has not yet received a new contract offer from the Cowboys, and it is unlikely that he will unless the team has noticeable postseason success. Whitt might not want to take the chance of hitching his wagon to McCarthy’s position.Whitt might also be reluctant to take a chance on the future composition of the Cowboys defense. Trevon Diggs, who suffered an ACL tear during the season, is recuperating, and Stephon Gilmore and Jourdan Lewis are free agents. Whitt is one of the best indicators of the defensive players’ status in the pass game. In addition, Parsons’ impending contract status clouds the defense’s future. Although the team still has the option for a fifth year, Parsons is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract. Quinn has already received a great deal of praise from Parsons. Would it be difficult for Dallas to re-sign Parsons? Would he be hankering after Quinn, or
Another factor influencing Whitt’s decision might have been the Dallas front office. Jerry Jones declared that the team would go into 2024 with a “all in” mentality. However, Jones has demonstrated that risky trading and aggressive spending don’t always result in financial ruin. It’s likely that the Cowboys will ask whoever manages defense to cook on a tight budget. Whitt might find it interesting to join a team that has a lot of cap room and is prepared to invest in a rebuild. He could construct his own defense.
Lastly, Whitt might just want to stay with Quinn rather than going through the interview process for a position at his current employer. Perhaps he believed that he ought to get an interview before considering outside
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