Dan Quinn’s choice to move on from Kliff Kingsbury was always going to draw heat, and it still does. But even with the benefit of hindsight, the Commanders’ head coach made a call that looked necessary once the offense stopped lining up with what he wanted.
Washington is now rolling the dice by handing the play-calling job to rookie David Blough. That move brought its own questions, especially after Blough was getting serious attention from the Detroit Lions for their vacant offensive coordinator opening. Turning that down was no small ask, and Quinn clearly believed he had a rising asset in-house - someone with a real chance to develop into a future head coach.
Not everyone agrees with the way Quinn handled it. ESPN analyst Seth Walder pointed to the Kingsbury decision as the offseason move he liked least, arguing that Washington’s defensive problems deserved more blame. He also said Quinn should have been the one feeling the pressure.
"Although the Commanders massively disappointed by going 5-12 in 2025, the defense was the biggest culprit, ranking 30th in EPA per play. If anyone should have been on the hot seat after 2025, I think it should have been head coach Dan Quinn, not (Kliff) Kingsbury."
That argument has some merit, but it misses the larger reality in the NFL: coordinators usually go first. Quinn wanted a reset, and he made one on both sides of the ball.
The bigger issue was that Kingsbury’s offense no longer looked like the right fit. The Commanders wanted a more pro-style approach to bring out Jayden Daniels’ strengths, with more balance and a stronger push for explosive plays that would create easier opportunities underneath. Kingsbury’s system had started to look too easy to solve, and Washington decided not to let that drag on.
Blough might not work out. That’s part of the gamble. But Quinn still had to make a move.
As for Kingsbury, the market told its own story. He received just one head-coaching interview, with the Baltimore Ravens, and there was no real traction for him across the league’s offensive coordinator openings. He eventually landed with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams, a spot that could end up being the best thing for his career.
In Other News...
Commanders Finally Made The Uniform Change Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Commanders are leaning into a look their fans have wanted back for years, moving their Super Bowl-era throwback design into the primary uniform role for 2026. Along with the refreshed standard set, the team is adding a new all-black alternate called the Hail Raiser, a sharper, more modern look that still fits the franchises recent push to connect its present-day brand with its past.
Owner Josh Harris framed the changes as a way to honor the teams heritage while updating the overall identity, and the early reaction has been strong enough to draw national notice. Sports Illustrated even placed Washingtons 2026 uniform set at No. 8 in the league, a sign that this makeover is landing well beyond the fan base that had been waiting on it. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have Finally Fixed One Of Their Most Frustrating Problems
The Commanders have spent enough time searching for small offensive edges that a better screen game almost feels overdue, and this weeks additions are aimed squarely at that problem. Bringing in Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo gives Washington two athletic options who can stress defenses in ways the unit has not consistently done, especially in the short passing game where the team has needed more help from its backs and tight ends.
For a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels, the appeal is obvious because cleaner, faster answers can help the offense stay on schedule and force defenses to defend every blade of grass. ESPNs John Keim has pointed to the possibility that these moves could make the attack more diverse, but the real test will come when Washington starts finding out whether those new pieces can turn a long-frustrating area into a reliable part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Tough Decision On A Rising Fan Favorite
The Commanders went into the offseason looking for more speed and flexibility at linebacker, and the additions of Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal under Daronte Jones have changed the shape of the room in a hurry. With Jones planning to lean on a 3-4 look, Washington appears set to build around Frankie Luvu and Styles, while Chenal gives the staff a useful piece it can move around depending on the down and the package.
That leaves Jordan Magee in a far different spot than the one many imagined when he emerged late last season as a fan favorite and a possible breakout candidate. The fifth-round pick is still expected to make the roster and be part of the group, but the path to steady defensive snaps is suddenly crowded, and the role that once looked like a clean runway to Bobby Wagners old middle linebacker job now feels a lot less certain. [Read more 🡒]