The Dallas Cowboys have built an NFC East champion on the back of one the best-rounded coaching teams in the league. Dallas boasts an All-Star team with Kellen Moore leading the offense, Dan Quinn handling the defense, and Mike McCarthy supervising all.
It appears Quinn might want to jump ship after his time in Atlanta. Quinn is now the Cowboys’ top defensive coach, just one year after inheriting Mike Nolan’s terrible defense.
The Denver Broncos have been a hot target for Quinn lately. They could look to hire a coach with experience who has a track record of success to help them compete in a tough division. Dallas has the perfect candidate to replace Quinn if he does leave.
Quinn could be replaced with defensive assistant George Edwards. Edwards is a former linebackers coach and has worked in the business for three decades. Edwards was the defensive coordinator of Mike Zimmer’s Minnesota Vikings for six seasons before being fired.
It will be interesting to see if George Edwards gets a look in Chicago and Minnesota. Bears were impressed with him before they hired Matt Nagy.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 11, 2022
Could George Edwards take over Dan Quinn’s Cowboys role?
Edwards was Minnesota’s DC for six seasons. Edwards finished 11th in points allowed his first year. He then won five consecutive seasons in which he placed in the top 10 with the fewest points allowed. He finished in the top five three consecutive years and was the league’s best defensive player in 2017.
Minnesota’s performance without Edwards might best illustrate Edwards’ influence. Zimmer took the nepotism route, firing Edwards in order to make Adam his co-DC. The Vikings finished 29th in points allowed and 24th in points scored in both seasons. They missed the playoffs.
Edwards is respected by some of the most prominent players on the roster. Micah Parsons stated Edwards is “like our pops.” Parsons supported Edwards when he was mentioned before as a possible candidate for the Duke HC position. If he were the defensive coordinator, players would respond well.
Two Cowboys coaches been most influential for Micah Parsons: DC Dan Quinn and senior defensive asst. George Edwards. "DQ is like my uncle. George is like my pops." Parsons, Edwards have discussed Duke. "I would be so excited for him because I have that type of love for the guy.” pic.twitter.com/Bd7OnqaZnP
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 8, 2021
Edwards is a veteran of leading elite NFL defenses and has the respect of all the players. This would keep Dallas from having to search outside for a replacement. Edwards is the only person capable of leading this defense, other than Quinn.