Dan Quinn is navigating an unexpected high-pressure situation at the business end of the campaign. Getting the Washington Commanders into position to make the postseason is one thing. Getting over the line is another challenge entirely.
This is the time when players — and coaches for that matter — will thrive or crumble with the spotlight glaring. Quinn's enjoyed the good and bad in this regard during his time as a head coach and coordinator around the league. Nobody expected the Commanders to reach the knockout rounds in Year 1 of his tenure. At the same time, capitalizing on this opportunity is crucial.
The Commanders have been in the playoff places almost for the entirety of the campaign. Falling at the final hurdle would be disappointing. Fortunately for Quinn, his squad will be reenergized and ready to close out strong after their extended bye-week rest and recuperation.
It's a new-look squad at Washington's disposal. Some have been here before and know how to conduct themselves. Others are either making their way or have experienced nothing but mediocrity under previous regimes. This represents an exciting journey into the proverbial unknown.
Dan Quinn urges Commanders to take things step by step down the stretch
Fans often look ahead and worry about elements outside of Washington's control. That's just the nature of the beast. Quinn is implementing a different approach, taking things one game at a time and getting his players to focus on the immediate tasks at hand. That's the even-keeled method he believes can help the Commanders meet increasing expectations.
We really try to stay into the here and now. Honestly, what I talked about with the team was a concept of base camp. We are not at the bottom, but we’re no where near the summit. You just try to get to the next camp and then the next one. So, if we continue to chase that, that’s where it’s at for us. So, for us this week, we’re going to constantly chase, can we get better, and do everything we need to do to get ready for New Orleans? The following week, we will do the same. I try to make it a discipline. Can we be disciplined enough to not look three and four weeks down the road? That’s what we will constantly go after.Dan Quinn
The Commanders made Quinn their head coach thanks in no small part to his exceptional leadership qualities. He's held in the highest regard across the NFL, building strong relationships and letting the players self-police the locker room. The incredible culture shift developed throughout the franchise is a testament to this.
Having someone like this to lean on over the next four games before Washington's playoff fate is sealed will be advantageous. Cooler heads normally prevail when the stakes are highest. There isn't much Quinn hasn't seen or done in the game. That's a strong security blanket for the players and staff to depend upon.
There is no panic from Quinn. His enthusiastic approach and measured decision-making never waver regardless of whether things are going well or not. The same meticulous planning, high-level motivation, and supreme professionalism are the one constant amid the playoff-chasing chaos. That's not a bad leader to go into battle with.
What comes next hasn't been determined. But if the Commanders heed Quinn's demands and take things game by game, they've got a tremendous chance of making the playoffs.
