A strong second-half performance against the San Francisco 49ers may have saved Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn’s job for at least a couple of more weeks. After the embarrassing Week 5 tie with the New York Giants, where Quinn, quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator David Blough all seemed to display a lack of awareness as the clock ran out, some believed Quinn could’ve been let go if the 49ers blew out the Commanders on Monday night.
San Francisco jumped on Washington early, holding a 20-3 lead at halftime. The defense couldn’t stop the 49ers. The offense wasn't much better. However, something changed in the second half. San Francisco couldn’t move the ball, with the Commanders forcing multiple three-and-outs in the fourth
quarter. Quarterback Jayden Daniels heated up, and so did the offense. Daniels threw two second-half touchdown passes, and the Commanders had two chances to go ahead late in the fourth quarter, but fell just short.
With Washington on a bye last week, it seemed like a good time for a chance—if the team was ready for one. They weren’t.
Quinn remains the Commanders’ head coach going into Week 8. At 1-4-1, Washington remains very much alive in the NFC East, with two of its next three games in the division against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Giants.
So, is Quinn on solid ground for the remainder of the season? NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave some insight into Quinn's status on Monday.
“The other name to watch is Dan Quinn of the Washington Commanders,” Rapoport said on the NFL Network. “Went into the San Francisco 49ers’ Monday night game with some heat, I think that’s fair to say. Had a strong showing, took it to the end, and seems to have bought himself some time. But if the performance does not improve, the wins do not come for Washington, then that is going to be a name we are going to continue to focus on.”
From The Aftermath on @nflnetwork: Talking about the future of some coaches, focusing in on #Jets coach Aaron Glenn and #Commanders coach Dan Quinn. pic.twitter.com/W7WG6nn580
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2026
Owner Josh Harris owns other professional sports teams and hasn’t shown a willingness to fire coaches in the middle of the season. Washington’s players keep playing hard for Quinn, which shows how much they believe in him. If that changes, Quinn’s time could be nearing an end.
The Commanders face the reeling Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL insider gives update on Commanders' Dan Quinn's future
