The coaching carousel in Atlanta keeps spinning, and the latest departure is a familiar name with deep football roots. Quarterbacks coach D.J.
Williams is officially heading to Washington, where he’ll take over the same role with the Commanders. It’s another key loss for the Falcons’ offensive staff, and one that comes with both personal and professional significance.
Williams had been with the Falcons for the past two seasons, initially joining as an assistant in 2024 before earning a promotion to quarterbacks coach in 2025. During that time, he worked closely with Michael Penix Jr., helping guide the young quarterback through the early stages of his NFL career. While Penix showed flashes of potential, consistency was hard to come by, and the offense never quite found its rhythm under Williams’ watch.
Now, Williams heads to Washington, where he’ll be tasked with helping Jayden Daniels take the next step in his development. Daniels, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, enters his third NFL season with high expectations and a new offensive coordinator in David Blough. The Commanders are hoping this new trio-Daniels, Blough, and Williams-can unlock the kind of production that eluded them this past season.
There’s also a strong family tie at play here. Williams is the son of Doug Williams, a franchise icon in Washington and the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Doug has been part of the Commanders’ front office for over a decade and currently serves as a senior advisor. So while D.J.’s move to Washington makes sense on a football level, it also carries a deeper emotional weight-he’s stepping into a role on the same sideline where his father made history.
Williams won’t be the only familiar face in Washington, either. He’ll reunite with head coach Dan Quinn, who spent over five seasons leading the Falcons and brought them within a breath of a Super Bowl title. Quinn’s first year in D.C. was a rollercoaster-after an NFC Championship appearance in 2024, the team took a step back this season, and the pressure is on to bounce back.
For Atlanta, this is yet another shake-up in what’s already been a turbulent offseason. Raheem Morris is out, and with Zac Robinson also reportedly on the verge of leaving, the Falcons’ offensive brain trust is undergoing a full reset. That kind of turnover is never easy, especially for a young quarterback like Penix, who now faces even more uncertainty as he prepares for Year 3.
While Williams' departure might sting for Atlanta-especially given his reported close relationship with Penix-it’s a natural consequence of the coaching overhaul. And for Washington, it’s a chance to bring in a young, energetic coach with both NFL bloodlines and recent experience working with a developing quarterback.
The Commanders are betting that Williams can help Daniels tap into his full potential. If he does, it could be the spark that reignites Quinn’s tenure in D.C. and gives the franchise the offensive identity it’s been searching for.