Leading up to the playoffs, Dan Quinn told members of the media that he was focused on one thing: winning with Dallas.
At various points, Quinn has also discussed the impact that being a head coach – and being subsequently fired – had on his enjoyment of the sport. Last season, Quinn even said that he was having more fun than he had in years.
Both the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos held interviews with Quinn, who was considered a front-runner for either head coaching position.
On the morning of January 27, both teams announced they had made agreements to hire new head coaches, leaving Quinn on the outside.
With Quinn now in the fold and returning for a 2022 season, the Cowboys can begin to prepare for advancing what became one of the most dominating defenses in the NFL last season, after spending 2020 in its basement. While the team will have some questions to address relating to free agents whose contracts are up this offseason, Quinn will have several key components in place to build for next season.
First-round pick Micah Parsons, whose breakout rookie season awarded him a nod as the Professional Football Writers of America’s Defensive Rookie of the Year this month, will be returning for a second season with Dallas.
So will second-rounder Kelvin Joseph at cornerback and third-round pick defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
In fact, each draft pick from 2021 contributed in some meaningful way last season as Quinn was forced to alter the defense on a game-by-game rotation due to injury and COVID-19 protocols that hit the team hard.
The biggest free agent questions on defense start with safety Keanu Neal, who was brought in on a one-year deal last season. Neal had a decent season in 2021, but might be an expendable part of the defense considering his team-high salary for free agents.
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is another big question mark, given the depth of players at that position the Cowboys will already have going into the 2022 season.
Quinn’s return will provide continuity on defense, something the Cowboys will need to count on if the team hopes to make another run at a playoff appearance in 2022.
The Cowboys fell short this season, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. It was the team’s first postseason appearance since 2018.
In total, Quinn was considered for at least six of the nine positions currently open in the NFL.
In addition to interviews with the Bears and Broncos, Quinn interviewed with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins, and was considered for the Jacksonville Jaguars position.
Of the teams who conducted second interviews with Quinn, the Bears — who were expected to seek a defense-minded coach — selected Matt Eberflus, the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. Eberflus was previously a member of the Cowboys coaching staff.
Denver has announced that Nathaniel Hackett will take over as head coach. Hackett has been the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers for three seasons and is credited with being a fundamental part of the success of quarterback Aaron Rogers, who is anticipated to win his second consecutive MVP award this season.