Ryan Kerrigan spent 10 of his 11 seasons wearing Washington’s burgundy and gold. He spent his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles before immediately turning to coaching in 2022.
These days, Kerrigan is head coach Dan Quinn’s assistant linebackers and pass rush specialist coach after spending the first two years of his coaching career as Washington’s assistant defensive line coach. He’s one of the few coaches that Quinn retained from the previous staff.
Numerous times this season, players or other coaches, such as defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., have praised Kerrigan for his work with individual players.
During his playing career, Kerrigan made the playoffs four times, including three trips while playing in Washington. Unfortunately, he never won a playoff game. So, when the Commanders defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa last week, it was special for Kerrigan.
On Saturday, Washington is back on the road to Detroit to face the top-seeded Lions. But before the Commanders took off to the Motor City, Kerrigan chatted with JP Finlay of NBC 4 Washington about why this playoff run is so special.
“It’s really cool, man,” Kerrigan told Finlay. “This is the first time I’ve won a playoff game. Made it four times as a player, was 0-4 unfortunately.”
Finlay then asked Kerrigan about his wife’s X post last week after the Commanders defeated the Buccaneers. Here’s the post.
In the league since 2011 & last night was RK’s first playoff win ever
makes it even sweeter it was with this organization
#HAIL pic.twitter.com/KFg5E3FFVP
— Jessica Kerrigan (@JessiKerrigan) January 13, 2025
Kerrigan was all smiles, before he explained how important was to him and his family.
“It’s really cool because my kids really are getting football now,” Kerrigan said. “My oldest is five and she really gets it. We’ll watch games and she knows players, she knows teams, she’s a huge Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin fan, so I’m no longer the favorite player for her. It’s awesome because there starting to get….she has a little board where she writes what win number we have. I got home the other day and she said, ‘Daddy, win 13, win 13 on the year.’ So, that’s what’s making it really special is that my kinds, they have a lot of investment in it, and obviously my wife, too, she’s been with me a good part of my playing career and now all of my coaching career so it’s special for all of us.”
Really great interview with @JPFinlayNBCS & @RyanKerrigan91
The former star LB/franchise career leader in sacks/now asst coach chats with JP about the #Commanders playoff run and what it means to him and his family
More here:https://t.co/IBc5UxhHQD@JessiKerrigan #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/gIfy9Q56mq
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) January 17, 2025
Kerrigan then explained how special it was for these moments to happen in Washington.
“This organization means a lot to me,” Kerrigan said.
Kerrigan will always hold a special place in the hearts of Washington fans who stuck with the team through the toughest of times.