The Chicago Bears appear to be narrowing their searches for a new general manager and head coach as the team is shortening the lists of candidates for each position. One name that continues to be mentioned for the head coaching role is former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn is currently the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, and his experience as both a head coach and coordinator would be something vital to the Bears.

Quinn Has Gained Extensive Playoff Experience During His Coaching Career

Before being hired as the Falcon's head coach in 2015, Quinn had served as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014. In those two seasons, the Seahawks appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls, as they won Super Bowl 48 and lost Super 49. Quinn oversaw Seattle's famous "Legion of Boom" defense that shut down the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48. The 2013 Broncos were the best offense in football but were held to only eight points in the Super Bowl.

The 2014 Seattle Seahawks would feature the league's best defensive unit for the second season in a role. In the 2014 playoffs, Quinn's defense performed well against quarterbacks Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers as both quarterbacks were held to three touchdowns and three interceptions. In Super Bowl 49, The Seahawks defense held Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in check for most of the game as New England was limited to just 14 points through the first three quarters. Unfortunately, New England scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter, but Seattle still had a chance to win the game at the end. It would only take two seasons before Quinn led the Atlanta Falcons to the playoffs in 2016. The Falcons cruised through the playoffs as they beat their NFC playoff opponents by 16 points or more. The Falcons even held a 28-3 lead over the Patriots in Super Bowl 51 before succumbing to a 25-point comeback and the overtime loss. Quinn, as a head coach or a defensive coordinator, appeared in three Super Bowls in four years, with his teams having a significant chance at winning all three Super Bowls. The Falcons would make the playoff one more time, a year later again in 2017, before posting three consecutive losing seasons. Quinn was fired in 2020 after Atlanta got off to an 0-5 start but was hired in 2021 as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. The Cowboys' defense was the seventh-best defensive unit in the league this season and led the NFL in takeaways, including 26 interceptions. Although Quinn had a terrible ending in Atlanta, he has shown an ability to rebound based on his work as Dallas' defensive coordinator this past season.

Quinn's Experience Will Prove Vital When He Assembles His Coaching Staff

Another reason why Quinn would be a quality head coaching hire for the Bears is because of his ability to put together a talented coaching staff. One reason why the Falcons were so successful in 2016 was because they featured the league's best offense under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan's offensive success with the Falcons in 2016 would lead to him becoming the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers on Sunday will be playing in their second NFC Championship game in the last three years. Other offensive coordinators that have worked under Quinn include Dirk Koetter and Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian has had an extensive history as an offensive coordinator in college and the NFL. At the college level, the offensive-minded coach worked with several quarterback prospects that would become first-round draft selections, including Carson Palmer, Matt Lienart, and Jake Locker. Koetter is another proven offensive mind as he also has been an offensive coordinator at both the college and NFL-level. Since 2007, he has served as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons. During his time in Tampa as their play-caller and eventual head coach, Koetter was responsible for the development of quarterback Jameis Winston.

Another coach who could be hired as the Bears' offensive coordinator if the team hires Quinn as head coach is Darrell Bevell. Bevell served as the Seahawks offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014 and is familiar with working with young quarterbacks. This past season, he oversaw the development of Trevor Lawrence while with the Jaguars. Having connections to several proven offensive minds is vital because as a defensive-minded coach, Quinn's most significant coaching hire will be his offensive coordinator, who will be responsible for the development of quarterback Justin Fields. Having a proven and experienced offensive coach will be vital for Fields heading into his second season. Quinn's experience and familiarity with several offensive coordinators could help make Chicago's offensive explosive in 2022.

Quinn might not be the most desired coaching candidate for the Bears right now, but he would be a safe hire for Chicago. His playoff and coaching experience would address several desirables for the Bears as they would get a proven defensive coach who can identify quality offensive coordinators. Quinn deserves a second chance as a head coach, and the Bears could be rewarded very quickly if they chose to give him that second chance.