Could the Washington Commanders pluck a longtime NFL defensive back to become a first-time coordinator in 2026?
The Washington Commanders search to find a replacement for Joe Whitt Jr. as defensive coordinator has had plenty of twists and turns over the last two weeks, but the latest development has a former NFL defensive back and assistant under Dan Quinn now set to interview.
Chicago Bears defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Al Harris is expected to interview for the Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator vacancy, per multiple reports. This comes nearly two years after Washington's attempt to interview Harris was blocked by Dallas, while Harris is also fresh off an interview with the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday.
Harris was among the candidates highlighted earlier on the site as potential fits for the vacancy.
Harris served as defensive backs coach with the Dallas Cowboys under Dan Quinn's three seasons as defensive coordinator, giving the two a close rapport and one that left a clear impression on the former NFL cornerback.
"If [Dan Quinn] was to go and get a head coaching job, honestly, in whatever capacity he wanted me to come, I'm there. It could be in Alaska. It could be coaching the Alaskan Bluebirds. I'm there," Harris said on a podcast with Adam Schefter following the 2023 season.
Harris is also one who Quinn pointed to as a coach who was "influential" in his own defensive philosophy with the mutual respect well documented between the two.
Harris becomes the latest in a growing list of candidates for the Commanders with the defensive coordinator search now hitting a second week.
After becoming a sixth round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Harris began his stint with the Buccaneers on the practice squad before being released ahead of the 1998 season, leading him to Philadelphia where he ended up starting alongside Troy Vincent and playing four seasons. He was then traded to Green Bay following the 2022 season in a trade involving draft picks where he went on to play eight seasons with the Packers, materializing into a two-time Pro Bowl and second team All-Pro in 2007.
After playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2010 and the St. Louis Rams in 2011, Harris shifted to the start of his coaching career where he served as a coaching intern for the Miami Dolphins in 2012. He was then promoted to assistant secondary/defensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs the following season before earning secondary/cornerbacks coach beginning 2016. After a stint with Florida Atlantic during the Lane Kiffin era, Harris then moved to the Dallas Cowboys to become the defensive backs coach before also taking on the assistant head coach title in 2024.
Harris joined the Bears coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season where Chicago took on the identity of his playing days after amassing a league-leading 33 takeaways in his first season. For a Commander defense that finished with just ten takeaways in 2025, coupled with Quinn's obvious chemistry with Harris, the connection is clear.
Reports following the Commanders coaching change was that head coach Dan Quinn preferred experience with the ability to take over as play caller, but Harris has yet to serve as defensive coordinator let alone call plays, marking a potential shift with Quinn opting to lean on familiarity and comfort in a pivotal year three.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson raved about Al Harris on a recent interview during the end of the 2025 regular season.
"He's done a phenomenal job. He's made a huge impact on the players. He's made a huge impact on our defense. He's made a huge impact on our team," Johnson said of Harris. "Wherever he's been, his DBs have been ballhawks."