Cowboys hiring Dan Quinn could actually be a brilliant move

The Dallas Cowboys have brought in Dan Quinn for a position and it actually might be a decent fit. 

When the Dallas Cowboys put up the worst numbers in the history of the franchise, something has to change. Sorry Mike Nolan, but the bus has come for you to be thrown under.

With the search now open for Mike McCarthy to add a defensive coordinator, multiple names are expected to float around the hiring circuit. One however might be seen as either a perfect fit or controversial depending on who you asked.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are expected to interview former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn for the open position. Barring a terrible interview, the job should be his to lose.

Most people will only know Quinn for his 28-3 debacle in Super Bowl LI to Tom Brady. Yes, the jokes keep piling in and after a while, even Quinn couldn’t avoid the pressure. The Falcons ultimately blew their shot for a title and cleaned house midseason.

Keep in mind that Quinn wasn’t just handed the job in Atlanta. He earned it helping the Seattle Seahawks reach a pair of Super Bowls in the early 2010s. Add in the fact his role with “The Legion of Boom” and Dallas actually could look smart by adding him this offseason.

Quinn’s defensive style could work in Dallas

Quinn was named Seattle’s defensive coordinator following the departure of Gus Bradley. In 2013, Seattle’s defense was among the league’s all-time elite, leading the NFL in fewest points allowed (231), fewest yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39). The secondary also less than 200 yards per game in coverage and was responsible for 28 of the 39 turnovers.

The following season came with the same results. Still under 200 yards allowed per game in coverage and the team improved against the run (81.5 yards per game). Seattle did diminish though in the turnovers with only 23 and a +9 rate.

Dallas finished the 2020 season ranked 29th in points allowed and 23rd in yards. Their secondary took a brutal hit without Byron Jones and the team will have glaring contracts they’ll need to rework. However, the blueprint is there to change little in the offseason.

Quinn is an upgrade from Nolan off name alone. His defense relies heavily on coverage in a 4-3 system rather than pass rush, an area where the NFC East struggles. Two years with a young core transformed into one of the league’s greatest units all-time.

Who’s to say Quinn can’t do it again down the Lone Star State?