The Washington Commanders have moved swiftly to appoint a new offensive coordinator, promoting former quarterback David Blough to the role in a significant coaching shake-up.
A Meteoric Rise Through the Ranks
The franchise confirmed the appointment on Saturday, just days after parting ways with previous coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Blough, aged just 30, has been elevated from his position as assistant quarterbacks coach, a role he held for the past two seasons. His promotion marks an exceptionally rapid ascent in the NFL coaching world, coming just two years after he retired from playing in 2023.
His responsibilities increased during the past season when he stepped in as the interim quarterbacks coach following Tavita Pritchard's departure for Stanford. Blough's playing career saw him as a standout at Purdue before going undrafted in 2019. He subsequently had stints with the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals, appearing in nine games and starting seven.
Major Overhaul for Dan Quinn's Staff
This offensive coordinator change is part of a broader restructuring for head coach Dan Quinn's team after a disappointing 5-12 season that saw them miss the playoffs. The Commanders mutually agreed to part ways with Kingsbury earlier this week, a move first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has also been dismissed after the Commanders surrendered more yards than any other NFL team in 2025.
Whitt's play-calling duties were removed in Week 11, making his exit expected. Notably, he becomes one of three NFC East defensive coordinators fired this week, alongside the Dallas Cowboys' Matt Eberflus and the New York Giants' Shane Bowen.
Kingsbury's Departure and Daniels' Support
Kliff Kingsbury's exit comes after a mixed tenure. His first season in 2024, after joining from USC, was successful as quarterback Jayden Daniels won Rookie of the Year honours. However, the 2025 campaign was derailed by Daniels' injury issues and problems along the offensive line, leading to the unit finishing 22nd in both scoring and yardage.
Despite the struggles, Daniels expressed strong support for his now-former coordinator. 'I love working with Kliff,' Daniels told reporters on Monday. 'Me and him have a special relationship. We've built that over the past two years. I wish I was out there more to play for him this past year.'
There is speculation that Kingsbury could be in line for head-coaching opportunities, although no strong suitor has yet emerged. Meanwhile, the Commanders have not identified a clear favourite to fill the vacant defensive coordinator position, with head coach Dan Quinn expected to remain in charge of the defence heading into the 2026 season.
