Is Dan Quinn Surprised by the Commanders’ Struggles? He Has 2-Word Response
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders have struggled since appearing in the NFC Championship game last season and star quarterback Jayden Daniels has had one of the more unfortunate sophomore slumps due to injuries.
The Commanders were beat 44-22 by the division rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Daniels also left the game with a hamstring injury. Head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels will get an MRI on Monday and Daniels lobbied him to return to the game. Daniels has already missed two games this season with a knee injury.
The Commanders fall to 3-4 on the season, after going 12-5 in Daniels masterful rookie season and reaching the NFC title game. So far this season, the Commanders offensive production is in the top half of the league, but the defense is in the bottom quarter.
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders warms up with a basketball before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Dan Quinn Has Short Response For Reporter
Quinn was asked postgame if he was surprised where Washington sits after seven weeks of football.
“Yes. Very,” he responded.
It be easy to chalk things up to injuries, but Quinn refuses to do that.
“Injuries are not the reason that we lost,” he said. “It don’t matter who you have, or who is out, when you don’t give yourself a real chance at it. Turnover margin to penalties to missed tackles and drops.
“Dallas beat us and we beat ourselves, as well. We’re the ones that got ourselves in the hole and we’re the same ones that gotta dig ourselves out.”
Things don’t get easier from here for the Commanders. It’s possible they’ll have to travel to Kansas City next week without Daniels to play the Chiefs (4-3) on “Monday Night Football.” The Commanders then host the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) in Week 9 on “Sunday Night Football” followed by a matchup with the Detroit Lions (4-2) in Week 10.
Washington Commanders Have Multiple Injuries
The Commanders were also without their top three receivers — Terry McLaurin (quadriceps), Deebo Samuel (heel), and Noah Brown (knee/groin). Before leaving with an injury, Daniels threw for 156 yards and a touchdown and added another score on the ground.
Backup Marcus Mariota later guided a drive capped by Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s short touchdown run, but an overthrown fourth-down pass to Luke McCaffrey early in the fourth quarter ended any slim comeback hopes.
Washington also lost defensive end Dorance Armstrong, the team’s sack leader with 5.5, to a knee injury on the opening series. He did not return.
Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Continues Good Play
On the other hand, the Cowboys secured a much needed victory on Sunday, moving to 3-3-1 on the season. Dak Prescott tossed three touchdown passes — highlighted by a 74-yard strike to CeeDee Lamb — while DaRon Bland added a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes for 264 yards, connecting with Jake Ferguson for two touchdowns. Ferguson became the first tight end in NFL history to record at least 50 receptions and six touchdown catches through the first seven games of a season.
All of Ferguson’s touchdowns have come during a four-game scoring streak — the second-longest by a Dallas tight end, trailing only Jason Witten’s five-game run in 2010.
Ex-Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill Sends Rashee Rice Message Amid Week 7 Win Over Raiders
With star wide receiver Rashee Rice back on the field for the first time in over a year, the Kansas City Chiefs routed the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, and the display of force caught the attention of former superstar WR Tyreek Hill.
“Also Rashee Rice is so dangerous !!” Hill posted on X during the KC victory. Adding: “Chiefs back rolling love to see it.”
Also Rashee Rice is so dangerous !! Chiefs back rolling love to see it
Hill is currently out for the season after suffering a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, so he was watching Week 7 from the sidelines.
Earlier in the afternoon on October 19, Hill posted about his current team, the Miami Dolphins. It was a rough day for the Dolphins, as they were blown out by the Cleveland Browns, 31-6.
“Watching your team play through a TV is hard,” Hill wrote about Miami. Later, he commented: “Let’s go fins let’s turn this thing around in the second half.”
Finally, he turned his attention to Rice and the Chiefs with the above post.
Rashee Rice Has Taken Over for Tyreek Hill as Patrick Mahomes & the Chiefs’ New WR1
Rice had a very successful return, catching 7 of 10 targets for 42 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Considering Kansas City pulled their starters and ran out the clock towards the tail end of the shutout, Rice could have probably produced a few more receptions, too, had the score been closer.
In 2024, Rice appeared to be taking the torch from tight end Travis Kelce as the most important playmaker within the KC offense before his injury. That mantle was once held by Hill, as well, so there is a symbolic connection between Rice and the former Chiefs superstar.
Both know what it’s like to reach the top of the mountain with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, as one-time Super Bowl champions, each. The only difference is Rice’s Chiefs era is just beginning, while Hill seems to be reminiscing on old times.
Will Tyreek Hill & the Chiefs Discuss a 2026 Reunion, Assuming He’s Released by the Dolphins?
As the Dolphins struggled out of the gates in 2025, many pondered a Hill trade to KC. But realistically, the financial numbers just wouldn’t have worked.
That impediment could change in 2026, let’s say the Dolphins release Hill, as many believe they will.
By designating Hill as a post-June 1 cut in 2026, the front office could save $36 million in cap space. And for an organization that could be rebuilding around a new head coach and general manager next year, that type of financial flexibility could prove very helpful.
Although it’s unclear if Hill would be ready for Week 1, he could sign wherever he wants if he’s released by Miami. He could also sign for a relatively cheap amount if his number one priority is winning, being that the Dolphins are still paying him a lot of money.
That sets up the Chiefs as an obvious potential landing spot, so long as there’s no hard feelings between the two sides. Hill seems to be publicly making it known that he’s still a fan of Kansas City, hinting that he’d be open to a reunion.
But would the Chiefs want Hill back? KC has never been one to totally dismiss a talented player like Hill just because of their off-the-field drama. And we know how much head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach love reunions.
Still, this doesn’t necessarily feel like a done deal, considering Kansas City has moved on to younger, more team-oriented fits at the position.
