The Washington Commanders have continued to watch the dominos fall in the defensive coordinator search, but has head coach Dan Quinn waited too long?
The offensive staff has taken shape much quicker for the Washington Commanders than the defense staff. With David Blough in the fold and four positions already filled - though one could depart after materializing into a head coaching candidate - when the defensive coordinator search will approach its final stage has remained a waiting game with dominos beginning to fall through the week, but that changed over the last 36 hours after several pieces fell into place.
Of course, the news of Jeff Ulbrich being retained in Atlanta comes as no surprise given owner Arthur Blank made clear he would be recommended to stay with the organization blocking interview requests in the meantime, a signal of just how available Washington's top, albeit far-fetched, target really was in the search.
News surfaced late Tuesday night that Jonathan Gannon, who interviewed with both the Cowboys and Commanders' DC vacancies, is now set to interview with the Green Bay Packers as they've now become the latest team with buzz around their chances of bringing on the former Arizona Cardinals head coach.
Wednesday evening, news broke that Brian Flores agreed to a contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings to remain as defensive coordinator, crossing off a pipe dream with Washington the only team he interviewed for a coordinator role. Of course, Flores' extension doesn't bind him to the Vikings if a head coaching gig materializes with the Pittsburgh Steelers interviewing him a second time, but it does cross one more name for head coach Dan Quinn.
After being mentioned as a possible fit, Chicago Bears defensive assistant Al Harris became the latest legitimate candidate with reports of the former Packers defensive back set to interview for the vacancy.
He becomes the latest of a long list of candidates who have already interviewed for the vacancy including Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen, Raiders DC Patrick Graham, Seahawks defensive backs coach Karl Scott and Dennard Wilson, who is no longer expected to return as defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.
Of course, the wildcard remains Raheem Morris, who has not yet interviewed yet reportedly remains in the mix of candidates under consideration. But the talk of Morris headed the TV route has remained a continued possibility with team insider Ben Standig reiterating that possibility on the latest episode of The Big Doug and Carmi Show. So just how realistic is Morris, who is also now reportedly a top candidate for the defensive coordinator vacancy in Green Bay? While the connection between Morris and Quinn dates back to their days together at Hofstra in 1998 and 2000 all the way into the five years they spent together with the Atlanta Falcons, Morris and Packers head coach Matt LeFleur overlapped ironically during their time together in Washington then Atlanta under Quinn.
Technically, there are plenty of options available, but just how many are realistic? And how many are an upgrade ahead of the need to rebuild virtually the entire defense this offseason.
But with the coaching search approaching the third week, the question now becomes when will a hire officially materialize? With a more patient approach expected throughout the search, head coach Dan Quinn might not have time on his side anymore with options dwindling by the day.