Dan Quinn reverses strict rule Commanders players had to follow

Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks to the media during the NFL annual league meetings at the JW Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders appear to be taking a more relaxed approach to certain things this year under new head coach Dan Quinn.

Commanders offensive lineman Sam Cosmi recently revealed that last season, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy forbid his players from wearing their hats backwards under any circumstances. Quinn has not only relaxed that policy, but he himself as been seen wearing his hat backwards on multiple occasions.

“Last year, I was not allowed to wear my hat backwards [in the building]. So that’s a little fun fact there,” Cosmi told Candace Buckner of the Washington Post. “That was something that we as players, offensive side, we weren’t allowed to wear our hat backwards.”

Quinn, meanwhile, has made the backwards cap part of his signature look. It is safe to say Bieniemy’s policy is no longer being enforced.

The Commanders brought in Bieniemy to run their offense last year after he departed the Kansas City Chiefs. While there was much fanfare around the hire, players struggled with his concepts at first, and the unit wound up finishing 25th in the league in points scored. Things like specifying how one can wear their hat may seem small, but it certainly sounds like the approach might have been too strict for some players.

Quinn is leading a new coaching staff, and Bieniemy was not asked back for the 2024 season. The former Chiefs offensive coordinator has since landed at UCLA as their offensive coordinator.