Dan Quinn is pushing back against suggestions that the Washington Commanders’ sideline lost track of the down during their viral fourth-down mishap against the San Francisco 49ers. Speaking Tuesday, the Washington head coach insisted he knew exactly what was at stake during the late-game sequence in Monday night’s 23-17 defeat. Quinn explained that the team deliberately chose aggression over settling for a field goal.
Facing fourth-and-goal, Washington’s attempt unraveled when an illegal shift penalty was declined. It eventually resulted in a turnover on downs. A sideline clip subsequently sparked questions about whether Quinn and his staff understood the situation.
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“I definitely knew it was fourth down,” Quinn clarified.
He explained that his comments were about the penalty’s consequences, not confusion over the down. Someone had apparently asked whether Washington could still attempt a field goal. The declined penalty, though, meant the possession was over. Quinn also defended the broader strategy. He argued that the Commanders needed to take risks against San Francisco.
Article Continues Below“I didn’t think it was gonna be a 17-14 game. I probably thought it was gonna need 28, 30 to score,” he said. “It was by design that we were gonna go.”
The explanation may clarify Quinn’s intentions. Still, the failed sequence remains another frustrating moment in a season that has offered Washington precious few breaks.
The Commanders enter their Week 7 bye at 1-4-1. They currently sit last in the NFC East after a turbulent opening six weeks. Jayden Daniels has shown flashes of playmaking under center. Inconsistent protection, defensive struggles, and a significant knee injury to Terry McLaurin, though, have complicated the team's outlook.