The Washington Commanders can breathe a little easier this week - not just because they’ve made a bold move of their own at offensive coordinator, but because they won’t have to face Mike McDaniel twice a year in NFC East battles.
After parting ways with the Miami Dolphins, McDaniel quickly became one of the hottest names on the coordinator market. Despite how things ended in Miami, there's no denying his reputation as one of the most creative offensive minds in football. His résumé still commands respect, and his connection with Dan Quinn - forged during their time with the Atlanta Falcons - made Washington feel like a natural landing spot.
But that’s not how it played out.
Instead of heading to D.C., McDaniel surprised many by joining the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator. He even canceled interviews for open head coaching jobs to make it happen.
According to reports, both the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had McDaniel at the top of their OC wish lists, with the Bucs making a particularly strong push. But in the end, the opportunity to coach Justin Herbert and return to California proved too enticing to pass up.
For the Commanders, that’s a win in disguise. McDaniel heading to Philly would’ve meant facing him - and whatever high-octane scheme he cooked up - twice a year. That’s no longer on the table.
Meanwhile, the Commanders made a move that caught some fans off guard: promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. At first glance, it looked like McDaniel might be holding out for another head coaching gig, which made Washington’s decision seem like a preemptive pivot. But with McDaniel choosing the Chargers, it’s clear the Commanders were never really in the running.
Blough’s rise is a major leap of faith. He’s light on play-calling experience, and that’s going to raise eyebrows.
But the Commanders didn’t want to risk losing him to another team - possibly the Detroit Lions - and Quinn clearly sees something in him worth betting on. It’s a bold call, and one that could go either way.
But it’s also a sign that Washington is willing to be aggressive in shaping its offensive identity under Quinn’s leadership.
As for the Eagles, missing out on McDaniel stings. They’re coming off a season that never quite clicked, even with all the talent on the roster.
The cracks finally showed in the playoffs, and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was the one who paid the price. Now, with McDaniel off the board, Philly’s search continues.
Kliff Kingsbury could be a fallback option - assuming he doesn’t land the Ravens job - but there’s no question McDaniel was the top target.
In the end, the Commanders and Eagles are both entering new eras on offense, but they’re doing it in very different ways. Washington went with a rising, unproven name in Blough, trusting Quinn’s instincts. The Eagles swung big and missed, and now they’re back to the drawing board.
And while Dan Quinn isn’t losing sleep over what’s happening in Philly, he might’ve cracked a small smile when McDaniel chose the West Coast instead.