The Washington Commanders had a disappointing 5-12 record in 2025, and as a result, fired both coordinators after the regular season concluded.
The team is currently conducting interviews with potential coaches. On Friday, it was revealed that the team interviewed a longtime assistant coach with a couple of Super Bowls on his resume for the defensive coordinator job.
Commanders Interview Joe Cullen for Vacant DC Job
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Commanders interviewed with Joe Cullen. Cullen is currently the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, a position he has held since 2022.
During his tenure in Kansas City, Cullen has won two Super Bowl rings and coached some elite talent, including Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and Frank Clark.
Cullen has just one year of experience as a defensive coordinator. That came back in 2021 when I held the role for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Cullen has over 19 years of total experience as a coach in the NFL ranks.
The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 9, 2026
The Commanders fired Joe Whitt Jr. after the team’s defense massively regressed from 2024 to 2025. Whitt’s defense finished dead last in yards per game in 2025 and 27th in points per game. The PFSN Defense Impact ranking gave Washington’s unit a score of 64.8, ranking it 30th in the league.
Head coach Dan Quinn took playcalling duties away from Whitt during the season, so it seemed apparent the team would make a move. Whitt was the team’s defensive coordinator for just two seasons.
Commanders Looking to Contend Again After Miserable 2025 Season
After the 2024 season, the Commanders appeared to be a team that would compete for years to come.
The team made a shocking run all the way to the NFC Championship Game, and star quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Rookie of the Year Award. However, 2025 couldn’t have been more different, as the wheels completely fell off.
At one point in 2025, the Commanders lost eight consecutive games and ultimately finished with a record of just five wins. Injuries played a significant role in the regression, as Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. are just a few of the key players who missed time.
Now, the Commanders enter the offseason looking for a fresh start. The team will have two new coordinators and undoubtedly plenty of new players, with the hope of returning to relevance in 2026.