News Article
Published
Oct 21, 2026 at 03:51 PM EDT
The Washington Commanders are sitting at 1-4-1 during their bye in Week 7 after a 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football."
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has received heavy criticism for the way the offense has handled clock management in Washington's loss to the 49ers and during its overtime tie with the New York Giants in Week 6. Quinn's future status with the Commanders has been a loud talking point ever since the overtime fiasco against the Giants.
While Washington appears ready to give Quinn more opportunities to turn it around, the Commanders made an interesting move with their staff. Per Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Washington brought in former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks to work with the defensive coaching staff.
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"The Commanders have hired Steve Wilks to work with the defensive coaches under Dan Quinn and Daronte Jones, per me and Rapoport," Garafolo posted on X. "The decision to hire Wilks was made last month. He started last week. Wilks will help with game planning. He won't be with the team on game days."
Wilks, 57, has been a defensive coordinator with the Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Missouri, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets. He was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
In 2022, Wilks went 6-6 as the interim head coach with the Panthers. He went 3-13 during his lone season as head coach of the Cardinals.
One question those around the league had for potentially sacking Quinn was who the Commanders would hire as an interim head coach. Wilks could certainly fill that role if Quinn's Commanders don't start winning games out of the bye.
The Commanders will next play the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 1. That's a winnable game for the embattled team with Jalen Hurts lost for the season.
For more on the Commanders and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.