The Washington Commanders are continuing to overhaul their coaching staff after a disappointing 5-12 NFL campaign.
The team hopes to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in a lateral move and has requested to interview Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams for that job in Washington, according to multiple reports.
Williams is the son of Washington’s 1988 Super Bowl hero Doug Williams, who is a senior adviser to general manager Adam Peters.
The younger Williams spent two seasons in Atlanta, first as a quarterback assistant, then as the main QB coach. He previously spent five seasons with the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant.
Flores is the latest name to join the Commanders’ hunt for a new defensive coordinator. Head coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling responsibilities midseason.
The team fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. this month after Washington finished last in the NFL in yards allowed per game. Flores is known throughout the league for his exotic blitz packages — a stark contrast to Quinn’s zone-heavy, more traditional defensive philosophy.
Quinn told reporters after the season finale that he’d again consider calling plays for the defense, though he was open to delegating the responsibility to a new assistant.
“I do know that I’ll be heavily involved, one way or another,” he said before highlighting the value of new perspectives. “You want to think about those people who are fresh on ideas. … You have to adapt. And some of the things that were effective 10 years ago, five years ago, evolve and change.”
The Commanders have already arranged interviews with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and ex-Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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