Dan Quinn still the favorite for the Falcons, per report

Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is busy preparing his Seahawk defense for the Green Bay Packers, but is still considered to be the favorite for the vacant head coach job in Atlanta, reports Adam Schefter.

Quinn had previously been thought to have been the favorite in New York, but the Jets were so impressed with Todd Bowles that Bowles was offered the job before Quinn is capable of doing so. Reports out of New York indicated that the Jets loved Quinn but weren't totally sure that they were Quinn's top option, so they didn't want to wait too long for him and then miss out on some of the other top talent out there.

Nonetheless, Quinn is still expected to leave Seattle after this season is over as long as the Falcons are willing to wait. According to Adam Schefter, they are.

Per Schefter,

With Todd Bowles landing in NY, Seahawks DC Dan Quinn is now the favorite to land the Falcons HC job, per league sources. Atlanta is interviewing Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin today, and he will have his chance to impress the Falcons, and try to change their minds and anything is possible.

But sources close to and familiar with the Falcons' situation believe Atlanta is willing to wait for Quinn, and Quinn is willing to wait for them, and he is the leading contender at this time to become the Falcons' next head coach. Quinn and the Falcons already have met once, and will be allowed to do so next week, whether or not the Seahawks win or lose Sunday's conference championship game.

There is a window next week for teams that already interviewed candidates to interview them again. Under the rules, the Broncos cannot interview Quinn, but the Falcons and Bears would be able to do so. Maybe the biggest advantage and lure that Atlanta has is its quarterback, Matt Ryan. His presence has made the Falcons' job arguably the most appealing one available.

So, if you want to keep Quinn around next season (and why wouldn't you?), hope that Austin impresses the pants off of the Falcons' brass today.

Whatever happens with Quinn, the interesting overall storyline is that defensive minded coaches are getting head coach position, which is a huge change from recent years past. Rex Ryan in Buffalo, Todd Bowles in New York, likely Jack Del Rio in Oakland, and Teryl Austin is a hot name. It's a testament, as least in part, to how much Pete Carroll has influenced the NFL.