Kliff Kingsbury’s Stock as a Head Coach Candidate Takes a Hit After Commanders' Offensive Collapse
As the NFL coaching carousel looms on the horizon for 2026, Kliff Kingsbury’s name has been quietly surfacing in conversations around potential head coaching hires. But after Washington’s offensive meltdown in their latest loss to Minnesota, that buzz might be cooling off fast.
The Commanders were hoping to build momentum with Jayden Daniels back under center, but things unraveled quickly-and painfully. Daniels, still working his way back from injury, took another hit that left him shaken.
Zach Ertz’s season-ending ACL tear only added to the offensive chaos. But the most glaring issue wasn’t personnel-it was play design and decision-making.
And that falls squarely on Kingsbury.
A Promising Start Goes Sideways
Washington’s opening drive actually looked promising. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran with authority, chewing up yardage and putting the Commanders on the doorstep of the end zone.
But instead of leaning into that early success on the ground, Kingsbury dialed up three straight pass plays. The final one-on fourth down-ended with a Deebo Samuel Sr. drop that killed the drive.
That was as close as Washington would come to scoring all day.
By the time the Commanders got the ball again, they were already down 14-0. And rather than stick with the run game that had worked early, Kingsbury pivoted hard into the pass-despite Daniels still finding his rhythm after injury. It was a puzzling choice, especially given how much pressure that put on a young quarterback trying to stay upright and make something happen behind a struggling line.
Daniels Left Hanging-Again
This wasn’t the first time Daniels has been asked to carry the offense without much help. The game plan didn’t do him any favors, and the lack of balance made the offense predictable. Once again, the rookie was left trying to create magic in a system that gave him little support.
While head coach Dan Quinn has taken heat for keeping Daniels on the field through injury concerns, the real issue on Sunday was Kingsbury’s situational management. The decision-making lacked clarity, the adjustments were minimal, and the offense never found any rhythm.
A Tale of Two Seasons
It’s a sharp contrast from last season, when Kingsbury’s work in Washington earned praise for creativity and adaptability. This year, that spark is missing.
The playbook feels stale, and receivers aren’t being schemed open the way they were before. The offense, at times, looks like it’s running in place-relying on individual talent rather than cohesive design.
Yes, injuries have played a role. But the deeper concern is that opposing defenses seem to have figured Kingsbury out.
That was the knock during his time with the Arizona Cardinals, and it’s starting to echo again in D.C. The innovation that once defined his approach has given way to predictability-and that’s a dangerous place to be in today’s NFL.
What’s Next for Kingsbury?
Last offseason, Washington was relieved to hang on to Kingsbury when no head coaching offers came his way. Now, some fans might be hoping one does come-if only to hit reset on a struggling offense. But with each passing week, that possibility seems less likely.
If Kingsbury wants another shot at leading a team, he’ll need to show more than flashes of past success. He’ll need to evolve, adapt, and prove he can build an offense that elevates talent rather than leans on it.
Right now, that case isn’t being made.