Could Dan Quinn still return to Cowboys in 2024?

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Atlantic Falcons coach Dan Quinn speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has rebuffed some head coaching positions in the past to remain in his current position. That may not be happening this offseason, but there remains a route for him to return to Dallas in 2024.

Even though head coach Mike McCarthy was somewhat non-committal on Thursday, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that the expectation is that Quinn will be back with Dallas if he does not land a head coaching job elsewhere. Quinn is in high demand as a coaching candidate and has five interviews scheduled.

The #Cowboys expect Dan Quinn to return as Mike McCarthy’s defensive coordinator should he not be hired as a head coach elsewhere.

Quinn has completed two of his five scheduled interviews for head-coaching vacancies. pic.twitter.com/UvNCjBteIL

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 18, 2024

Quinn appears to have a legitimate chance of landing a job elsewhere. There is one spot in particular where he could be an ideal fit. He also seems to be more aggressive this offseason about surveying potential head coaching jobs as opposed to last year, when he took himself out of the running fairly early in the process in order to remain with Dallas.

Quinn is well-liked by owner Jerry Jones and had even been named as a potential in-house replacement for McCarthy. His defense’s ugly performance in the NFC Wild Card loss to Green Bay may have given some people second thoughts, but he remains in high demand and appears to have a job no matter what happens this offseason.