Cowboys' Dan Quinn expected to remain in Dallas 'for years to come' after agreeing to stay for 2022
Fri, Jan 28, 2022
NFL News (AP)
Dan Quinn gave the Dallas Cowboys an early 2022 Christmas gift on Thursday, notifying the team he'd stay on as their defensive coordinator going forward. Quinn was one of the most highly sought-after candidates in this year's head coach cycle, but things didn't go his way when the Denver Broncos -- the team he was the front-runner to join as HC -- decided to instead go with the offensive mind of Nathaniel Hackett, the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator.
Quinn would then undergo a second interview with the Chicago Bears and still have interest from several other teams, including the New York Giants, but nothing outside of Denver tickled his fancy enough to leave what he's formed into a special defense in Dallas; and it sounds like owner Jerry Jones might've rewarded him for the decision.
Jones intimated an extension was granted to Quinn, telling 105.3FM the Fan on Friday that two would be together "for years to come." It's a massive win for the Cowboys, who have also made it clear there will be no change at head coach, but Jones' optimism needs to be tempered with the reality that Quinn will likely be a hot commodity in the 2023 coaching cycle as well -- especially if he can duplicate or surpass the success he delivered for Dallas in 2021.
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NFL rules do not allow teams to use current coaching contracts to block promotions.
That's a problem for another day, though, because the rightful celebrating by Jones and the Cowboys regarding Quinn is shared in the defensive locker room and should also help grease wheels in conversations with free agents, be it in-house and/or those outside of the building. The Cowboys were able to build an impressive 2021 free agency class without breaking the bank, headlined by breakout talent like safety Jayron Kearse. Quinn is a coordinator and coach players adore, so don't gloss over the impact of retaining him on the coming conversations in March.
Jones didn't stop at the glass-clinking over Quinn staying, but also delighted in the belief he kept Quinn from leaving by working with Mike McCarthy to convince him of why Dallas was the place to be. The Hall of Fame owner stopped short of saying that was definitively the case, instead saying he "believes" it to be, and wouldn't cite any examples of a job that might've been offered but declined by Quinn. The actual belief is, however, that once the Broncos passed on Quinn for Hackett, other opportunities were simply not as attractive as where he sits in North Texas -- helping the case being made by Jones and McCarthy.
In the end, all that matters for the Cowboys is Quinn has their headset on in September.
