At one point, defenses commanded by Dan Quinn were feared. Legion of Boom. The Seahawks‘ victory under his coachmanship in Super Bowl XLVIII. But now that blueprint is vanishing under missed tackles and worn-out schemes. The team that just had a deep playoff run appears to be on the verge of unexpectedly disintegrating on defense.

The Washington Commanders were recently ranked 23rd out of 32 NFL defenses by Bleacher Report. Not very good. Not even mediocre. They had the third-worst run defense in the league in 2024, allowing 137.5 rushing yards per game. In free agency, they lost Jonathan Allen, and Javon Kinlaw, who took his place, is already being viewed as a downgrade. Dan Quinn’s return to the NFC East suddenly appears more like damage control than a planned takeover when you factor in an ageing Bobby Wagner, a pass-rush team that failed (Dorance Armstrong only had five sacks), and a secondary that has more issues than solutions.

But Quinn isn’t giving up. With familiar faces, he is restocking the trenches. Officially, the Commanders announced on May 27: Ten-year NFL veteran Carl Davis has returned to Washington. They posted the update on X: “We have signed DT Carl Davis.” Davis recorded three tackles in his three games with the squad in 2024, but his background with seven other NFL teams offers Quinn a reliable veteran presence. Davis’ resume reads like a football road trip; the Ravens, Colts, Jaguars, Browns, Patriots, Cowboys, and most recently, the Commanders. But all this legacy comes with a shadow. A stain.

While playing for the Jaguars, Davis violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, resulting in a four-game suspension in February 2020. And the timing couldn’t have been worse. He was about to enter free agency and struggle for relevance. Instead, he became just another cautionary tale. The league moved on. Teams moved on. And Davis? He bounced from one team to another.

He has been a stopgap player for several teams ever since, never truly shining or sticking around, but always available to fill that gap. Always ready to grind. A third-round pick in 2015, he has played for seven NFL teams and has almost ten years of experience. The rotational lineman for the Commanders comes back to Washington with 78 games played, 71 tackles, and 2.5 sacks. Quinn now has a plug-and-play veteran who won’t back down, but this signing won’t immediately improve the Commanders’ run defense. The current scenario: Washington requires inner assistance, despite the tainted history. And Dan Quinn is trying to put all the pieces together, one piece at a time.

Dan Quinn is rebuilding the Commanders—One hit, one trade, one statement at a time

Dallas lost Dan Quinn. And now? He’s in Washington, putting the finishing touches to a grand scheme to outdo the Cowboys. And other major pieces in his scheme: Jalen Ramsey and J.K. Dobbins.

Ramsey is a financial escape hatch for the Dolphins because of the post-June 1 trade savings. But on the field? He remains authentic. The man recorded two picks and five PBUs in ten games last season despite having a torn meniscus. But this goes beyond a Pro Bowl corner. Quinn has witnessed Ramsey’s abilities, thus, he is fully aware of them. And now wants to use it to construct Washington’s roster.

But it’s not just Quinn who has his eyes set on him. Jerry Jones wants him, too. The biggest obstacle to Quinn getting the shutdown corner he wants comes from the same team he left. According to reports, Sean McVay’s Rams are also exploring options in hopes of a reunion. But there is something the Commanders have that the other teams do not: Dan Quinn as head coach.

As the Ramsey saga continues, there’s another quieter move loading in the background. J.K. Dobbins. After three years of injuries and mayhem in Baltimore, Dobbins finally looked like himself in Los Angeles, scoring nine touchdowns and 905 running yards. He is currently a free agent who has not been signed.

That’s where Washington comes in. The Commanders already have Brian Robinson Jr., a hammer with legs, and Austin Ekeler, the checkdown master. And the stat war starts at this point: Commanders rushed for 2,619 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024. The Eagles ran for 3,048 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. Guess who eliminated the Commanders from the playoffs? That’s right.

So, Quinn’s every move comes with a solid reason. Because you don’t adjust if your opponent’s run game is more violent, deeper, and stronger, and you’re losing playoff games as a result. You reload and restructure. The anti-glamour choice is Dobbins. Not a single billboard. No gimmicks. Only tape. He is ideal for this new Commanders DNA, designed for conflict. And Carl Davis? He’s not here for that redemption arc. His purpose is to cover the gap that the Commanders’ linebackers keep falling through.