FRISCO – One premium plan as the Dallas Cowboys have long prepped for the departure of Dan Quinn – which occurred on Thursday with the defensive coordinator taking the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders – was to promote from within.

And as of Thursday morning, there was an idea that could still work, with sources telling CowboysSI.com that Dallas assistant Joe Whitt Jr. is the “frontrunner” to take over for Quinn.

But NFL sources now tell us that the  Cowboys also want to visit with the man Quinn is replacing – fired Washington head coach Ron Rivera.

The anticipation of Whitt leaving is best defined by one person close to the deal who tells us, “Quinn and Whitt are attached at the hip.”

We do not know if that visit will occur in person or via Zoom. (Update: A meeting is being scheduled for next week.) And depending on what Quinn does in trying to take an assistant with him, maybe an in-house candidate will get the promotion.

In addition to Whitt, possibilities have included Cowboys secondary coach Al Harris and the defensive line coach Aden Durde.

But the Cowboys may be wise to examine backup plans … and maybe just to pick the brain of Rivera, who has had success as a coordinator and as a head coach.

There are other compelling names available …. With head coaching experience of the sort that Dallas boss Mike McCarthy might prefer. That group includes Mike Vrabel and Brandon Staley and heck, maybe even Bill Belichick.

 But those are possible interests. The Cowboys desire to get to know Ron Rivera is the real deal.