Firing McCarthy (if JJ actually grows a pair and does it— won’t hold my breath) would be about three things:
1. Scape-goating MM for the undisciplined play and horrid end to a “promising” season, which by implication, exonerates the players and FO for the failure
2. Maintaining continuity on D with Quinn who — while admittedly a retread— DID come in and change the culture and has the love and respect of the players
3. Restoring “confidence” in the fan base that “action” has been taken— and this allows JJ the optimist to spin hope for 2022 and “keep the dream alive.”
For me? I’d take Quinn over McCarthy for sure. I would FAR prefer that to giving the keys to Kellen Moore— which feels like Garrett 2.0 to me.
Other candidates? Fangio and Zimmer would be alright as DCs— but neither has done anything as a HC. Flores? Yes— BUT he would take a year to bring in a new staff and implement his philosophy. Quinn is a known commodity and has relationship, equity, and trust.
IMO— (considering JJ will never fire the GM) Quinn is the next best no-brainer hire for JJ to make to blame a fall guy, keep the D on the current course, and win a small victory in the court of public opinion.
Doubt it makes a difference with Dak and the over-paid, under-achieving stars on this roster— but I’d much rather roll with Quinn and his style/philosophy than another year of Big Mac