Tag: Coaching Search

Jahan Dotson excited about Commanders’ changes and the future

Jahan Dotson excited for what’s ahead.

Washington wide receiver Jahan Dotson was a popular choice for a breakout player in 2023. Anytime someone discussed potential breakout players across the NFL, Dotson’s name always came up when you mentioned the Commanders.

Dotson was excited about new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s offense.

Unfortunately, despite playing in all 17 games, Dotson’s breakout season didn’t happen. The second-year wide receiver had just 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns, and he was held without a catch in three games.

Looking back at Washington’s 2023 season, there were some bright spots in the first half of the season. Quarterback Sam Howell played well through the first 10 weeks before falling apart in the second half of the season. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was terrific, but the Commanders wide receivers had a down year.

While Terry McLaurin went over 1,000 yards, it wasn’t easy.

When players were cleaning out their lockers earlier this month, several veterans didn’t hide their frustration with Bieniemy’s offense. Washington led the NFL in passing attempts but finished last in rushing attempts.

Dotson was one of those frustrated players.

Last week, JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan and NBC 4 caught up with Dotson to discuss Washington’s changes. The Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera three weeks ago and hired former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the new general manager. Washington is expected to hire a new head coach this week.

Dotson told Finlay he trusts owner Josh Harris’s vision for the future and called him a “great dude.”

Finlay asked Dotson what he thought of the Detroit Lions offense. Detroit’s offense is led by Ben Johnson, who many believe will be Washington’s next head coach.

“Electric,” Dotson answered. “They seem unsolvable right now………they do a lot of things very well. A very balanced offense, they can the ball, they have a lot of playmakers over there who do a lot of great things.”

Finlay also asked Dotson about the Texans offense, which Bobby Slowik coordinates. He, too, is a contender for Washington’s head coaching job. Dotson praised Houston’s offense, too.

If Johnson becomes Washington’s coach, there will be plenty of opportunities for Dotson, McLaurin, Robinson and others. Lions wideout Amon-Ra St-Brown had 1,514 receiving yards in 2023, and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta finished with 889 receiving. Both players had 10 touchdown receptions, and quarterback Jared Goff passed for over 4,500 yards. Detroit’s top two running backs combined for 1,960 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

The 2024 season will be critical for Dotson, and he’s excited about the future.

Top NFL insider isn’t yet convinced Ben Johnson will be the Commanders head coach

Ben Johnson not a lock to Washington?

Adam Schefter of ESPN is the No. 1 newsbreaker for all things NFL. When Schefter tweets something, it’s always right. No NFL reporter is more plugged in than Schefter.

Now that the Super Bowl matchup is decided and only two head coaching jobs remain, Schefter appeared on Monday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss those openings.

Schefter certainly thinks Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the next head coach for the Washington Commanders. Right?

What about Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn returning to Seattle as its new head coach?

The Ravens and Lions lost on Sunday, meaning that four of the finalists for the two remaining openings could be hired now.

OK, back to Johnson and the Commanders. While almost everyone else believes Johnson to Washington is a “foregone conclusion,” Schefter doesn’t buy into that notion.

“I’m not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commanders’ job,” Schefter said. “I know people have said that he is the presumptive favorite, and he may get the job; he very well may; he is in contention, but that is not a slam dunk at all right now. They are definitely looking at other people, as well. And again, they may come back to Ben Johnson, but I think that they are pretty impressed with (Ravens DC) Mike Macdonald,  (Lions DC) Aaron Glenn and (Ravens AHC/DL coach) Anthony Weaver, as well. I think those guys are going to have a legitimate chance to get that job.”

Schefter then turned toward Johnson’s interview with Seattle.

“Ben Johnson’s also in play in Seattle,” Schefter said. “So you have to see if he doesn’t get Washington. Is he in Seattle? Or does Seattle pull an upset? People have said here that they think Ben Johnson is going to Washington and Dan Quinn is going to Seattle, and I will bet you, at a minimum, one of those is not right. At a minimum……maybe both.”

This is Schefter, so you must take this seriously. While all of the other NFL insiders from multiple networks, including some of Schefter’s colleagues at ESPN, all believe Johnson is heading to Washington.

Is this a case of the Commanders letting Schefter believe this search is still wide open, or is Washington sincerely waiting to complete interviews before making an offer?

The Commanders interviewed Weaver and Macdonald on Monday, while Johnson interviewed with the Seahawks. Washington is scheduled to interview Quinn, Johnson, and Glenn on Tuesday.

Will the Commanders have a decision by Wednesday?

It shouldn’t be long.

Commanders will give 2nd head coach interviews to both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson

Commanders will give 2nd head coach interviews to both Lions coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson

The NFL head coaching carousel is quickly spinning to a stop. One of the two remaining openings is in Washington, and both Lions coordinators are still very much in play to be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders have already interviewed Lions DC Aaron Glenn and OC Ben Johnson remotely for their head coaching vacancy. They are now going to interview both of them for a second time now that the Lions postseason run is over. They are among five finalists who are going through second interviews on Monday and Tuesday.

Numerous reports have indicated that Johnson is the top candidate for the Commander’s job, though neither Johnson himself nor the Commanders have said so publicly. Expect the Commanders to make a decision by the middle of the week, if not sooner.

Commanders’ fans react to Ben Johnson’s playcalling in the NFC Championship

The Lions may have lost, but Washington fans were watching their offensive coordinator and excited about Ben Johnson potentially becoming the Commanders next head coach.

The Detroit Lions looked well on their to the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, holding a 24-7 lead over the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Unfortunately for the Lions, a series of mistakes, from dropped passes and dropped interceptions to head coach Dan Campbell taking one too many gambles, doomed Detroit’s chances. The 49ers came back to win 34-31.

What did go right for the Lions? Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson had the 49ers on their heels throughout the first half, whether through the running game, passing game, trick plays, or other means. Johnson played a pivotal role in helping Detroit jump out to a big lead.

While the Lions lost, Washington fans watched in anticipation. Johnson is considered the favorite to become the next Commanders’ head coach.

We look at some of the top Twitter reactions from Washington fans/media regarding Johnson potentially coming to the Commanders.

 

Each of the Commanders’ top targets for head coach could be hired this week

Sunday’s results mean the Commanders can wrap up their coaching search soon.

Former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator and current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is headed back to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31 Sunday in the NFC championship game, meaning former Washington players Trent Williams and Chase Young will also be playing in two weeks in the Super Bowl.

What sort of emotional roller coaster must this day have been for newly hired Commanders GM Adam Peters?

The Lions kept pounding the ball, rushing for 148 yards and accumulating 280 total yards en route to a 24-7 halftime lead.

If that result had held, Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was therefore not going to be available to be hired this week.

On the other hand, the Ravens had lost to the Chiefs earlier on Sunday in the AFC championship game. This meant Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald could be interviewed again this week and be hired this week as well.

However, the 49ers dominated both sides of the ball in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 17-0, tying the game at 24-24 heading into the final quarter.

The 49ers having Deebo Samuel back from injury a week earlier against the Packers was huge, as Samuel collected eight receptions for 89 yards. The 49ers offense got moving in the second half, and Brock Purdy finished 20 of 31 for 267 yards.

Now it is the 49ers going to the Super Bowl. Johnson, instead of scheming up an offensive game plan against the Chiefs for the Super Bowl, is available after all.

Johnson seems to be the favorite for the Washington Commanders’ opening at head coach. If the Commanders like how he interviews this week, Peters could have the man he wants to lead the Commanders for the next decade.

Peters has apparently been doing his homework and thus has managed to maintain his backup plan as well. He has already interviewed Dan Quinn once and is still planning on a follow-up interview this week.

Commanders fans have nearly in unison been very strongly opposed to the idea of Quinn becoming the next head coach of the burgundy and gold.

However, what if the interviews with Johnson and Macdonald result in Peters determining he would rather have someone with some NFL head coaching experience?

Well, Quinn has been the DC for the Cowboys and Seahawks. He was also a head coach in Atlanta and led the Falcons to an NFC championship and a 28-3 lead against the Patriots in a Super Bowl. Peters also might consider he would rather have Quinn than see Quinn as the next Dallas head coach when the contract with Mike McCarthy expires.

Whether it’s Johnson, Macdonald or Quinn, the Commanders could have their man by the end of the week.

Commanders will be busy this week in their head coaching search

Washington has five interviews set up for Monday and Tuesday.

This week will be critical for the Washington Commanders and their head coaching search.

After the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, Washington will interview defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Commanders will meet with Macdonald on Monday night.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that Washington will also meet with Weaver on Monday.

The Commanders were already scheduled to travel to Detroit on Tuesday to interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Also, on Tuesday, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will have his second interview with Washington.

The Commanders will also interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn again, presumably in Detroit, when they meet with Johnson.

Washington has already interviewed Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik twice.

With the Lions and Ravens losing on Sunday, Washington can hire Johnson, Glenn, Macdonald, or Weaver if either of the four is the pick. If Detroit or Baltimore would have won, the Commanders would have had to wait until after the Super Bowl.

Washington’s coaching search should be completed sometime this week.

Could Ron Rivera end up with the Cowboys?

If Dan Quinn lands a head coaching job, the Cowboys could replace him with……Ron Rivera.

Ron Rivera was fired almost three weeks ago after four seasons as head coach of the Washington Commanders. Last week, Rivera joined John Keim’s podcast to reflect on his time with the Commanders.

During his conversation with Keim, Rivera said he still wanted to coach, even if it meant as a defensive coordinator. Rivera noted how he enjoyed coordinating Washington’s defense for the final five games last season after he fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Rivera even said he’d had preliminary conversations with teams.

Shortly after, it was revealed that Rivera interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles for their defensive coordinator opening. He didn’t get the job, as the Eagles hired Vic Fangio on Saturday.

But maybe Rivera could wind up staying in the NFC East after all.

On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network mentioned Rivera as a possibility to replace Dan Quinn as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Quinn is a finalist for the remaining head coaching openings with the Commanders and Seahawks.

“Here’s an interesting one: Ron Rivera has already interviewed for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job,” Rapoport said. “I’m told that the Cowboys have some interest in potentially looking into Rivera as their defensive coordinator if Dan Quinn leaves.”

That would be something.

Commanders’ huge offseason starts with Josh Harris

Josh Harris has the chance to put his stamp on the organization, and that began with the hiring of Adam Peters.

Daniel Snyder’s departure as the owner of the Washington Commanders was gargantuan, mammoth and colossal.

But as hard as it may be to believe, getting Josh Harris as the new owner might result in an even more significant act in franchise history.

There are other billionaires out there who want to own NFL franchises. But if we learned anything from the last owner, it was that money alone doesn’t guarantee success for a new NFL owner.

Hey, Commanders fans, how would you like to have David Tepper as your new owner? Why did he give up so much when Bryce Young was not clearly the top quarterback in the class of 2023? And why has Tepper already had six interim/head coaches since taking over in 2019?

The former owner in Washington had his forgettable moments. He played general manager, he refused to hire a true general manager and he intruded into more than one NFL draft. Once, prior to hiring a head coach, he hired the team’s next offensive coordinator. Then, when he couldn’t get anyone to take the job as head coach, he promoted that offensive coordinator to the head coach position, knowing the man had never even been an NFL coordinator.

Fast forward to this offseason. Harris, though he has made more money than anyone else in the organization, showed he is secure enough to hire Adam Peters, who has trained to be an NFL general manager.

Second, if Harris permits Peters to hire the man he truly feels is the best fit for the head coach position, then Peters owns the decision. And if Peters owns the decision, it will be up to Peters to sincerely work with and for that head coach.

Third, consider April’s draft. Washington will not only have the No. 2 overall selection, but the possibility exists they could obtain their quarterback for the next decade. Having five of the top 100 selections means Peters will have a tremendous responsibility. It also means he will have a wonderful opportunity to rebuild this roster.

If Harris can remain secure enough to permit football people such as Peters and the next head coach to do their jobs, build trust with them and provide them a respectful working relationship, this franchise could experience something it has not witnessed in a quarter of a century.

It all begins with Harris.

Report: Ravens DC Mike Macdonald and others still in play for Commanders’ head coaching opening

Mike Macdonald, Dan Quinn and others remain in contention for Washington along with the presumed leader, Ben Johnson.

Almost everyone believes that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders. Multiple NFL insiders have gone on record, with some saying it’s a “foregone conclusion” that Johnson will be Washington’s next head coach.

Per a new report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, not so fast.

While Schefter said Johnson could indeed be Washington’s next head coach, calling him the “presumptive favorite” may be premature.

There are some who have viewed Johnson as the “presumptive favorite” for the Washington job, but multiple sources insist that is not true. While Johnson could land the Commanders head coaching job, sources insist that there are other strong candidates — most notably Macdonald, Weaver, Glenn and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn — who still are “very much in play.”

Johnson, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will all coach in Sunday’s conference championship games. Quinn’s Cowboys were eliminated two weeks ago, and he will meet with Washington for a second time this week.

The Commanders are traveling to Detroit to conduct second interviews with Johnson and Glenn.

Quinn has been linked to Seattle — where he served as defensive coordinator for three seasons under Pete Carroll — since Carroll and the Seahawks parted ways. And while Seattle and Washington could’ve already hired Quinn instead of waiting, both franchises have chosen to wait.

Schefter said the Seahawks haven’t had the chance to interview Macdonald but did interview Johnson. That means Seattle can’t interview Macdonald until after Baltimore’s season ends. However, the Seahawks can interview Johnson this week since it did have a virtual interview with him last week.

The Commanders and Seahawks have both interviewed Johnson, Quinn and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

While Washington may be interested in Quinn, it does feel like this is setting up to be a Johnson vs. Macdonald battle for the Commanders, with Johnson still the favorite.

We shall see.

How serious of a candidate is Dan Quinn to be the Commanders next coach?

While Quinn remains a contender for Washington’s job, he’s clearly behind Ben Johnson.

The Washington Commanders appear poised to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach. Multiple NFL insiders have predicted Johnson to be Washington’s top choice since firing Ron Rivera earlier this month.

The Commanders have interviewed at least eight candidates and began second in-person interviews this week. Four of Washington’s top candidates couldn’t have interviews this week because their teams were coaching in the AFC and NFC Championship games.

Johnson is one of those coaches. Washington will reportedly fly to Detroit early next week to interview Johnson in person. The Commanders also plan to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn a second time.

Another coach Washington will speak to next week is Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. There was some confusion if next week’s meeting was a second or third, but Quinn’s interview this week was pushed into next week.

Throughout Washington’s coaching search, Johnson has been the name most connected to the Commanders from the outside. However, Quinn and former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris were also heavily mentioned as Washington’s next potential head coach.

On Friday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network discussed the remaining two coaching openings: The Commanders and Seattle Seahawks. Quinn, a former Seattle defensive coordinator before becoming the Falcons’ head coach in 2015, is reportedly a finalist for the Seahawks’ opening.

Rapoport believes that Quinn is a serious contender for both jobs.

“Dan Quinn certainly seems to be a prime candidate at both spots, so it is obviously a real possibility the Cowboys end up losing their defensive coordinator,” Rapoport said.

Rapoport acknowledged Johnson as Quinn’s biggest competition for Washington’s next coach, but he didn’t necessarily call Johnson the favorite, as everyone else has.

So, how serious is Washington about making Quinn its next head coach?

Quinn is certainly worthy. However, the Cowboys have been eliminated from the playoffs for two weeks. Why would Washington wait if it were intent on Quinn as the top choice? Sure, the Commanders may want to speak to some of the other coaches in this weekend’s championship games to ensure Quinn is their pick. But if Washington felt that way, why would you give Seattle a chance to hire him?

Most NFL insiders haven’t been shy about going on the record to call Johnson the heavy favorite. Heck, he’s been the betting favorite for weeks. If the Lions lose to the 49ers on Sunday, the Commanders can hire Johnson next week. If Washington travels to Detroit and makes progress with Johnson, does it even interview Quinn again?

Johnson is clearly the Commanders’ top choice. If Quinn were their top choice, they would likely already have a deal in place. Instead, Washington is wisely keeping its options open if things fall through with Johnson.