Commanders coach Dan Quinn talks the importance of a strong pass rush

The Washington Commanders struggled to rush the quarterback last season after trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young. While the trades gave Washington some excellent selections in the 2024 NFL draft, they left them extremely thin at a critical position.

This offseason, the Commanders started over. The changes began with the coaching staff. Dan Quinn took over as head coach. Quinn, one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators, gets his second shot as a head coach. Coming with him from Dallas is new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Quinn and general manager Adam Peters knew changes were needed on the roster, particularly at defensive end. Following Quinn and Whitt from Dallas were Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. The Commanders also signed Clelin Ferrell, formerly of the 49ers.

Quinn’s teams have always been successful rushing the passer and he expects that to continue with Washington, regardless of who is coming off the edge.

Ahead of Wednesday’s first training camp practice, Quinn explained the importance of a strong pass rush.

“Affecting the quarterback is, has to be at the top of what you wanna do defensively, right behind taking the ball away and tackling well,” Quinn said.

“You don’t always want to be able to have to bring five or six to generate pressure and pass rush. So, when you can get there with four and affect the quarterback and get him out of the pocket, or, you know, change where he has to go, set his feet, that’s what we’re looking for.”

It didn’t matter how many pass rushers the Commanders sent last season; they couldn’t get near opposing quarterbacks. That will change under Quinn. A strong pass rush goes hand in hand with taking the ball away.

While Washington may not have an elite pass rusher, Quinn couldn’t be more excited to coach defensive tackles Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Johnny Newton. Those three will play a key role in the Commanders’ ability to rush the passer in 2024.