Dan Quinn didn’t waste time making changes in Washington - and that’s by design. After reflecting on how long he waited to shake things up during his run with the Falcons, Quinn came into this offseason determined not to repeat that mistake with the Commanders.
The result? A bold, sweeping reset of his offensive staff.
Gone are Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. In their place: Daronte Jones and David Blough - two fresh faces with innovative minds, but zero NFL play-calling experience between them.
It’s a high-risk move, no doubt. But it’s also a calculated one, rooted in a desire to reshape the Commanders’ identity from the ground up.
And if general manager Adam Peters can upgrade the roster around them, this gamble could pay off in a big way.
Not everyone’s buying in, though.
NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms didn’t hold back when reacting to the changes, especially the move to replace Kingsbury with Blough. Simms, a former quarterback himself, questioned the logic behind handing the keys to a young offense - one that includes rookie QB Jayden Daniels - to a guy who was a practice squad quarterback just two years ago.
“You disgruntle your quarterback by changing the offensive coordinator, who he loves and has a relationship with, and is one of the best offensive coordinators in the sport,” Simms said. “And you hire a guy that hasn't done anything close to that?
To me, one of the craziest moves of the offseason so far. Crazy.
David Blough was a practice squad quarterback two years ago. Now he's calling plays for the Washington Commanders and Jayden Daniels?
Ass is on the hot seat with decisions like that. It better go good.”
That’s a strong reaction - but let’s take a closer look.
Yes, Kingsbury had a connection with Daniels. And yes, he’s been around high-powered offenses before.
But Washington’s offense under Kingsbury last season didn’t exactly light the league on fire. Even when the group was healthy, the scheme looked predictable, and the in-game adjustments just weren’t there.
Internally, there was growing frustration with the direction things were heading - and that ultimately led to the split.
Enter David Blough.
On paper, Blough might not have the résumé of a seasoned play-caller. But within league circles, he’s earned a reputation as a sharp, forward-thinking coach with a strong grasp of pro-style concepts.
He’s worked with Daniels before, and that familiarity could be a key asset as the Commanders build around their young quarterback. Blough’s approach is rooted in modern offensive principles - spacing, tempo, adaptability - and Quinn believes that’s exactly what this team needs to help Daniels take the next step.
And let’s not forget: every offensive coordinator in the NFL had to start somewhere. Quinn made that point himself recently, and it’s a fair one.
Just because Blough hasn’t called plays on Sundays yet doesn’t mean he can’t do the job. It means he’s unproven - not incapable.
As for Kingsbury, if he truly was one of the league’s elite play-callers, the market didn’t seem to reflect that once he became available. He got one head coaching interview and was in the running for the Titans’ OC job, which ultimately went to Brian Daboll.
Kingsbury landed with the Rams, but he won’t be calling plays there either. That’s a stark contrast to someone like Mike McDaniel, who was one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel before joining Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles.
So, is this a gamble? Absolutely. But standing still wasn’t an option for Quinn.
He’s betting on a new vision, a new voice, and a new approach. And while the move may raise eyebrows now, it’s clear Quinn is thinking long-term - not just about this season, but about building a sustainable offensive identity around his young quarterback. Whether it works or not, one thing’s for sure: Quinn’s not waiting around to find out.