The Washington Commanders’ offseason will be one of change. That change began when the team fired former head coach Ron Rivera and hired new GM Adam Peters.
On Thursday, the Commanders finally found their head coach: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
The Commanders’ next step is filling out a coaching staff and preparing for free agency. But before Washington gets to free agency, it will have decisions to make about the current roster.
How many of the dozen or more free agents will the Commanders look to retain?
And what about defensive tackle Jonathan Allen? Allen, you recall, expressed frustration multiple times during Washington’s eight-game losing streak this season. While he never said he wanted a trade, he did admit he thinks of what it would be to play somewhere else.
Was that just the emotion after a game talking?
On Friday, hosts from the two most popular sports radio stations in the DMV gathered at the Bethesda Theater in Bethesda, Md., with Allen as the special guest.
Allen spoke candidly about the recent changes with the Commanders and his future.
“I’m excited, man,” Allen said told JP Finlay. “(GM) Mr. (Adam) Peters and Coach (Dan) Quinn, I think we’ve done a lot of great things; we’ve brought in a lot of winners, guys who’ve been to Super Bowls, guys who have been a part of winning Super Bowl organizations. I am excited.”
Allen then discussed how much he wanted to win in the burgundy and gold.
“It matters a lot; my goal has always been to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “But, I want to win it here. Obviously, winning a Super Bowl someplace else would be great, but it wouldn’t be the same as winning it here. I went to high school in this area; I grew up a Washington fan, so, obviously, I want to win here.”
Allen and fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne are two players who could benefit most from Dan Quinn’s hiring. While anything can happen, it’s certainly a good sign for Allen’s future in Washington if he and Peters have already spoken.
ALLEN ON QUINN AND PETERS: At tonight's @1067theFan vs. @team980 event, our @JPFinlayNBCS caught up with #Commanders defensive captain Jonathan Allen about the hiring of head coach Dan Quinn, as well as new GM Adam Peters#HTTC@nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/1ViNs0B3P6
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) February 3, 2024
