With the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator search hitting a second week, one hopeful target is officially crossed off
With the expectation that the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator search would require much more time than it took to fill than the offensive coordinator vacancy, one domino that could move the process officially materialized as expected on Monday morning.
Despite being a reported top candidate in Washington, the Atlanta Falcons announced that Jeff Ulbrich will remain with the organization as defensive coordinator in 2026 under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. The expectation was Ulbrich was unlikely to leave Atlanta after owner Arthur Blank confirmed that following Raheem Morris being fired, Ulbrich would be recommended to the next head coach to be retained. Once Stefanski arrived, buzz quickly materialized that it was more likely than not that Ulbrich would stay on staff after reports of the former Cleveland Browns head coach already doing his due diligence on the longtime assistant.
Ulbrich, now set to return to Atlanta for his second season with the organization, now officially is crossed off as a hopeful candidate in the Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator search.
ESPN's John Keim pointed to the former Jets defensive coordinator as a top candidate to watch should a divorce with Atlanta materialize, but with head coach Dan Quinn no longer waiting on an answer, now he and general manager Adam Peters are able to turn to the open market with the list of available defensive coordinator candidates who have already reportedly interviewed with the organization.
The Commanders kicked off the search by bringing in Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who is a candidate to return to Las Vegas and survive a third head coaching change. Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, Seahawks defensive backs coach Karl Scott and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson are among the other reported candidates in the mix.
But with the coaching carousel hitting another week with the expectation the defensive coordinator role could be filled within the next 7-10 days, all eyes will now turn to how quickly Dan Quinn will move.
Of course, the big question is how realistic of a candidate Flores is with the Baltimore Ravens interviewing him ahead of his interview with the Commanders. But it might be another NFC North team to watch with the Pittsburgh Steelers already set for a second interview with Flores on Tuesday. He is one of two candidates set for a second interview on Tuesday with Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver also expected to head to Pittsburgh again.