How Broncos helped the Cowboys keep Dan Quinn as DC

Dan Quinn ultimately decided to remain with the Dallas Cowboys as defensive coordinator. The Denver Broncos played a role in that.

In the 2022 head coaching cycle, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was one of the more popular names. One of the numerous teams that interviewed the former Atlanta Falcons head coach was the Denver Broncos. But on Thursday, Jan. 27, the Broncos announced they were hiring Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their next sideline boss.

That same day, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Quinn will remain in Dallas as the team’s defensive coordinator. As it turns out, the Broncos may have played a role in the decision.

Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado tweeted out that Quinn wanted the Denver job, but they opted to hire Hackett.

Dan Quinn opts to remain with Cowboys as defensive coordinator

Quinn was a finalist for the Broncos head coach job, but it was not the only one. He received a second interview with the Chicago Bears, but the organization opted to hire Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as head coach. That was when the report of Quinn choosing to remain in Dallas was released.

Earlier in the week, Quinn received an in-person interview with the New York Giants, rivals to the Cowboys, and was considered a strong contender for the job.

Quinn tested out the head coaching market in 2022, but after the Broncos and Bears jobs were off the board, he opted to return to Dallas to lead their defense. As Pelissero noted in his tweet above, Quinn could receive interest for head coaching jobs next year.