The Washington Commanders lost 44-22 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, extending their losing streak to five games and dropping to 3-7 on the season. Washington’s defense, which has had a hard time all season, allowed 44 points, including 226 rushing yards and 320 passing yards. This was the fourth consecutive game in which the Commanders were defeated by at least 21 points.
Dan Quinn Announced a Change
In response to the team’s defensive struggles, head coach Dan Quinn announced on Monday that he will take over defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Whitt will stay on the coaching staff but will work from the coaches’ booth for the Washington Commanders’ Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid. Quinn described the change as necessary to address performance issues, telling reporters:
“When something’s not working, we shift from the question of why isn’t it working to what do we need to do to get it right?” Quinn said. “Right now, that’ll call for some change. I’ll take over the role as the defensive coordinator and all that entails. Joe (Whitt)’s been my right hand man for years and took the news like a pro he is.”
Commanders HC Dan Quinn told reporters that he now will take over as defensive coordinator and call Washington’s defense. pic.twitter.com/LNA9fKA6JS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
Quinn has extensive experience as a defensive strategist. He was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks during their 2013 Super Bowl-winning season and later became the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive coordinator.
Quinn led the Commanders to the NFC championship game in his first season as head coach last year. However, this season the team has allowed an average of 28 points per game, ranking 30th in the NFL.
Washington ranks near the bottom of the league in passing and rushing yards allowed, surrendering 260.2 passing yards per game and 134.4 rushing yards per game. According to the PFSN Defense Impact metric, Washington’s defense ranks 30th among all teams in the league.
Sunday’s loss to Detroit was a testament to this. Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 142 yards and scored three times.
Detroit scored on all of its first-team possessions, building a 25-point second-half lead at one point in the fourth quarter. It meant that the Commanders gave up large chunks of yardage, multiple scores, and were unable to create stops at crucial moments. Hopefully, Quinn we be able to imrove things for Washington.