After a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2025, just one season removed from an NFC Championship appearance, the Washington Commanders are wasting no time shaking things up. With a new season on the horizon, the franchise is making significant changes to its coaching staff-starting with a search for a new defensive coordinator.
One name now firmly in the mix: former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Washington is set to interview Gannon on Thursday, as the team continues its effort to retool a defense that struggled mightily last season.
This move comes on the heels of a broader coaching shakeup. The Commanders recently parted ways with both offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
In response, they’ve promoted interim quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator, filling one key vacancy. That leaves the defensive coordinator role as the final major piece of the puzzle.
Gannon brings a mixed résumé to the table. He spent the last three seasons as the head coach in Arizona, where the Cardinals went 15-36 and failed to reach the postseason. While the head coaching stint didn’t yield much success, Gannon’s background as a defensive coordinator is what’s drawing interest.
Before taking the reins in Arizona, Gannon served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. During that stretch, the Eagles’ defense made significant strides, particularly in pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers-traits that Washington would love to bring back into their identity.
That said, Gannon’s most recent work on the defensive side hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. In 2025, the Cardinals’ defense ranked near the bottom of the league, allowing 357.7 yards per game (27th) and 28.7 points per game (29th). Those numbers speak for themselves, and they raise fair questions about whether Gannon is the right fit to lead a defensive turnaround in D.C.
Still, a return to a coordinator role could be exactly what Gannon needs. It’s not uncommon for coaches to thrive when they return to their roots, focusing on the side of the ball where they made their name. For Washington, the hope would be that Gannon can recapture the form he showed in Philadelphia and bring a more aggressive, disciplined edge to a defense that lacked consistency last season.
But Gannon isn’t the only candidate in play.
The Commanders have already cast a wide net, interviewing Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson over the weekend. Wilson has earned respect around the league for his work with secondaries and his ability to develop young talent-something Washington could benefit from given the youth on their defensive roster.
On Wednesday, Washington also sat down with former Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores, who previously served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, is widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL. His aggressive, blitz-heavy schemes and no-nonsense approach have made him a coveted name in coaching circles.
If Washington can land Flores, it would be a major coup. But given his popularity around the league and potential head coaching opportunities elsewhere, there’s no guarantee he’ll be available. That’s why the Commanders are doing their due diligence and exploring multiple options, including Gannon, to ensure they’re not left scrambling.
There’s still time for more names to emerge in this search, but one thing is clear: Washington knows how critical this hire is. After a season that fell well short of expectations, the Commanders are looking for a defensive leader who can help restore the unit’s identity-and help get the franchise back on track.