The Dallas Cowboys are running it back with Mike McCarthy and reportedly won’t give him an extension before the 2024 season. Per the latest rumors, the Cowboys will keep Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator if he doesn’t land a head coaching job.
It’s long felt like Quinn will get one of the available jobs. He’s interviewed with the Panthers and Chargers, Titans, Commanders and Seahawks and landed second interviews with the latter three teams. Though lengthy, the list has started to shrink as the coaching carousel has progressed.
The Titans have hired Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their head coach, while the Chargers seem dead set on replacing Brandon Staley with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, with whom they requested a second interview.
With the Commanders reportedly high on Lions OC Ben Johnson, the Seahawks could be Quinn’s landing spot. That wouldn’t surprise anyone given Quinn’s history with Seattle. What is surprising, though, is the rumored partnership Quinn could form if he gets the Seahawks job.
Hearing that not only is an NFL-return likely for former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, but that it could take the form of a "package deal" with Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.
The Seahawks are a likely destination.
— Shane Hoffmann (@shane_hoffmann) January 23, 2024
NFL Rumors: Cowboys’ Dan Quinn eyeing Chip Kelly as OC if he’s hired as Seahawks head coach
The partner in question? Former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, who would become Quinn’s offensive coordinator, per Shane Hoffman of the Oregonian.
Anyone have this on their Bingo card?
According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Kelly has garnered interest from multiple NFL teams. Kelly’s served as UCLA’s head coach since 2018, leading the Bruins to a 35-34 regular season record, including 25-13 over the last three years, and two bowl appearances.
Kelly is better known for his four-year stint at Oregon, where he was 81-41 and led the Ducks to a BCS Championship appearance and Rose Bowl win.
Kelly turning UCLA’s program around seems to have rekindled NFL interest after his initial unsuccessful tenure as Eagles head coach from 2013-15 and 49ers head coach in 2016. He was 28-35 overall between both stints with an 0-1 playoff record despite presiding over some extremely talented rosters.
Hearing that not only is an NFL-return likely for former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, but that it could take the form of a "package deal" with Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.
The Seahawks are a likely destination.
— Shane Hoffmann (@shane_hoffmann) January 23, 2024
The connection between Quinn and Kelly remains a mystery. Kelly currently has it made with the Bruins, making roughly $6 million per year. The appeal of restoring his NFL image might be tough to turn down, however, even if it means hitching his wagon to a guy in Quinn who hasn’t had roaring success as a head coach.
At face value, Kelly and Quinn could make a strong partnership. Quinn is a great leader of men and seemingly would have full control of the defense, while Kelly would get to oversee an offense that’s loaded with playmakers.
At the same time, though, Quinn would face Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay four times a season within the division. He’s a combined 0-6 against the Shanahan tree as Cowboys defensive coordinator and hasn’t showed any desire to make the necessary adjustments to defend those offenses.
Quinn and Kelly would make a star-studded duo, but those don’t always have fairytale endings.
