The Washington Commanders are deep into their offseason reshuffle, and while the defensive coordinator search is still unfolding-with some candidates currently tied up elsewhere-the offensive side of the ball is already taking shape. That process moved quickly, thanks to a decisive move by new head coach Dan Quinn: promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator.
Blough’s rise may have caught some fans off guard, but within league circles, it wasn’t exactly a shock. After parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury, Quinn wasted no time elevating Blough from assistant quarterbacks coach.
He didn’t wait for Mike McDaniel, a close friend and potential candidate, to finish his head coaching interviews. Instead, Quinn went with someone already in the building-someone who had quietly built a strong reputation.
Blough had suitors elsewhere, too. The Detroit Lions were reportedly interested in bringing him on as their OC, but Washington moved first.
The decision wasn’t just about convenience-it was about belief. Blough has earned praise from a range of respected voices, including Quinn himself, Kingsbury, Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
That’s a strong list of endorsements for a young coach stepping into a major role.
Now, the focus shifts to building out Blough’s offensive staff. One of the big questions is whether Brian Johnson-Washington’s assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator-will stick around after being passed over for the OC job.
Another name to watch is tight ends coach David Raih. Both could be on the move, depending on how the staff shakes out.
Blough has already made his first hire, bringing in D.J. Williams as the new quarterbacks coach.
That name carries weight in Washington-Williams is the son of franchise legend Doug Williams, who still works in the front office. But D.J. brings more than just legacy.
He’s coming off a two-year stint as the Falcons’ quarterbacks coach and also spent time under Sean Payton in New Orleans. His experience, especially working with young quarterbacks, will be crucial as Washington continues to develop Jayden Daniels.
While staff changes are inevitable, there’s one coach Washington absolutely needs to keep in the fold: Anthony Lynn.
Lynn, the team’s run game coordinator and running backs coach, is one of the most respected voices in the NFL when it comes to the ground game. A former running back and head coach, Lynn has spent 34 straight years in the league-he’s been around long enough to see just about every offensive trend come and go. And he’s been successful in just about every role he’s held.
When Washington hired Lynn in 2024, the idea was to blend his run-game expertise with Kingsbury’s Air Raid concepts. The results were mixed-there was success on the ground, but much of it came from Jayden Daniels’ legs rather than a consistent, traditional rushing attack. That mismatch in offensive philosophy was part of the reason Kingsbury and the Commanders ultimately went their separate ways.
Enter Blough, and a new direction.
Washington is shifting toward a more traditional offense-think zone blocking, quarterback under center, and a play-action-heavy approach. It’s a style reminiscent of the 49ers, and it just so happens Lynn knows that system well.
He spent two seasons in San Francisco as assistant head coach and running backs coach, and he’s steeped in the Shanahan-style ground game. He also worked in Detroit when Ben Johnson was on staff and Blough was a quarterback, so there’s familiarity and trust already built in.
Blough may bring some Kingsbury and O’Connell wrinkles into his scheme, but the foundation looks like it’ll be rooted in a more balanced, physical attack. That’s where Lynn’s value skyrockets. His ability to design and teach an effective run game, and to integrate it with play-action concepts, makes him an essential piece of this offensive rebuild.
There’s no public word yet on Lynn’s contract status, but retaining him should be a top priority. Washington still needs to hire an offensive line coach, and that’s a critical piece for any run-first approach. But keeping Lynn in the building could be just as important-especially for a first-time coordinator like Blough who’s stepping into the spotlight.
As the Commanders continue to shape their coaching staff, the decisions they make now will ripple through the 2026 season. And if they want to give Blough the best chance to succeed, making sure Anthony Lynn stays in Washington should be near the top of the to-do list.