The Washington Commanders are turning the page on a new chapter in their quarterback room, hiring D.J. Williams as their next quarterbacks coach.
Williams joins the staff after a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he helped groom one of the league’s most intriguing young passers. Before that, he spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant, steadily building his résumé as a rising voice in quarterback development.
But this hire carries more than just football significance-it’s a full-circle moment for the franchise. Williams is the son of Doug Williams, a Commanders icon and trailblazer who became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl back in 1987. Doug remains a senior advisor within the organization, and now he’ll be working alongside his son in a rare and meaningful family reunion on the football side of the business.
What Williams brings to the table
In Atlanta, D.J. Williams played a key role in the development of Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ former first-round pick.
Penix showed marked improvement in his second season under Williams’ guidance. The lefty quarterback led the NFL in interception rate, throwing picks on just 1.1% of his passes-a sharp contrast from the turnover issues that often plague young quarterbacks.
His completion percentage climbed past the 60% mark, and his passer rating jumped nearly ten points, from 78.9 as a rookie to 88.5 in Year 2. That kind of growth speaks volumes about Williams’ ability to help young quarterbacks settle into the pro game and refine their decision-making.
Now, he’ll be tasked with helping another high-profile young QB take the next step: Jayden Daniels.
A pivotal moment for Jayden Daniels
Daniels, the former No. 2 overall pick, is coming off a frustrating, injury-riddled 2025-26 season. It was a tough follow-up to his electric rookie campaign, when he took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and led Washington all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
The talent is undeniable. The question now is how quickly Daniels can return to form-and whether Williams can help him unlock the next level of his game.
This pairing has real potential. Williams has already shown he can help a young quarterback clean up mistakes and find rhythm.
Daniels brings a dynamic dual-threat skill set that, if harnessed properly, could be a nightmare for defenses. The Commanders are clearly betting that Williams is the right coach to guide that development.
Coaching staff in flux
The hire also comes amid broader changes to Dan Quinn’s coaching staff. After the departure of Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders promoted David Blough from assistant quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator-a quick internal move that suggests the organization wants to maintain some continuity on that side of the ball. Blough and Williams will now work closely together to shape the offensive identity moving forward.
On the defensive side, however, the picture is still incomplete. The Commanders have yet to name a new defensive coordinator to replace Joe Whitt Jr., leaving a key piece of the coaching puzzle still up in the air.
But with Williams now officially in the fold, the Commanders have added a coach with both pedigree and production to his name. And for a franchise still searching for long-term stability at the quarterback position, that’s a move worth watching closely.