Jan. 11, 2026, 3:08 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Washington Commanders<\/a> are searching for a defensive coordinator after firing Joe Whitt Jr.<\/a> last week. Washington also mutually parted ways<\/a> with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, but it didn’t take long to find his replacement. On Friday, the Commanders promoted assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough<\/a> to offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n There will be no internal promotions to replace Whitt. Washington’s defense struggled badly in 2025. Before the Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins, Quinn replaced Whitt as the Commanders<\/a>‘ defensive play-caller. The defense showed modest improvements over the final seven games, but injuries and a lack of talent were bigger problems.<\/p>\n Who will the Commanders target to replace Whitt? Some names make sense<\/a>, while others might surprise. We will follow the search closely, updating every candidate the Commanders interview, or any news involving the search for a new defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n Commanders interview Raiders<\/a> DC Patrick Graham<\/p>\n The Commanders opened up their defensive coordinator search by interviewing Raiders DC Patrick Graham<\/a>. Graham has been with the Raiders since 2021, surviving multiple regimes, which is a testament to who he is as a coordinator. Before Las Vegas, Graham was the Giants’ defensive coordinator from 2020-21. A Yale graduate, Graham would appear to have a good shot at landing the job, especially if head coach Dan Quinn opts for an experienced play-caller.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a>Commanders interview Chiefs’ DL coach Joe Cullen<\/p>\n The second known candidate<\/a> Washington interviewed was Chiefs’ defensive line coach Joe Cullen. Cullen is a revered defensive line coach and has been a defensive coordinator once. Unfortunately, it was with the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars, best remembered as the Urban Meyer disaster. It’s safe to say Cullen didn’t receive a fair shake and has been with the Chiefs since 2022.<\/p>\n Cowboys denied permission to interview Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich<\/p>\n Why does this matter to the Commanders? Ulbrich is extremely close to Dan Quinn. Ulbrich was a linebacker with the 49ers when Quinn was a young NFL coach. When Ulbrich ended his playing career, he joined Quinn’s Atlanta staff in 2015, where he remained during Quinn’s entire six seasons there. Ulbrich is still under contract with the Falcons, and owner Arthur Blank wants to retain him<\/a> and will recommend him to the next head coach. The Falcons fired Raheem Morris last week. Ulbrich is a successful NFL defensive coordinator and would have been considered the leading candidate, but he doesn’t appear to be an option, at least for the time being.<\/p>\n Raheem Morris may not coach in 2026<\/p>\n When the Falcons fired Morris<\/a>, he, along with Ulbrich, was considered to be one of the top contenders. Morris has known Quinn since he was a player at Hofstra, and Quinn was on the coaching staff. Like Ulbrich, Morris worked on Quinn’s Atlanta staff from 2015-20. They remain close<\/a>, with Morris often praising Quinn’s leadership. Morris has interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs since being fired last week. That appears to be his primary focus. And a new report indicates that Morris may choose a television career in 2026 if he doesn’t land one of those head coaching positions. Is it leverage? Morris can be paid by Atlanta while working in TV with much less stress.<\/p>\n Commanders interview Titans DC Dennard Wilson<\/p>\n