What prompted Mike McCarthy departure from Dallas to join the Commanders?

Just a day after the Dallas Cowboys announced Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator, the Washington Commanders made their own announcement. Head coach Dan Quinn introduced Joe Whitt Jr., formerly the Cowboys’ secondary coach and pass-game coordinator, as the new defensive coordinator for the Commanders. Both Quinn and Whitt left Dallas for promotions within the division, which means they will face their former team twice a season. Despite Whitt previously expressing his desire to work with “The Star,” some are left wondering why he left at all. During the press conference, Whitt explained his decision to follow Quinn to Washington and outlined what fans can expect from his defense. It appears that the primary factor in his decision was the opportunity to continue working with Quinn, whom he regards highly as both a coach and a person. Whitt emphasized the strong personal connection he shares with Quinn, highlighting instances such as handwritten notes to his children when he moved to Atlanta. This personal relationship played a significant role in Whitt’s decision to join the Commanders and pursue his goal of becoming an NFL defensive coordinator. Whitt’s coaching career began before he entered the NFL in 2007, and he rejoined the league under Quinn’s leadership in 2020. He spent most of his coaching career with the Green Bay Packers, serving in various roles before eventually becoming the team’s passing-game coordinator in 2018. As for why he didn’t stay in Dallas, Quinn offered Whitt a level of job security that he likely wouldn’t have had under Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Many speculate that McCarthy’s position with the Cowboys might be precarious, particularly if the team fails to make a deep playoff run. In contrast, assuming things go reasonably well in Washington, Whitt can expect to hold his position for several seasons.