Dan Quinn is making bold moves this offseason with the Washington Commanders, shaking things up after a disappointing 2025 campaign. In a decisive step, Quinn parted ways with his coordinators, Joe Whitt Jr. on defense and Kliff Kingsbury on offense.
Enter David Blough and Daronte Jones, stepping into their first NFL coordinator roles. Blough, previously the assistant quarterbacks coach, will handle the offense, while Jones, formerly the pass game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, takes charge of the defense.
This double debut for Blough and Jones is a gamble for Quinn, who’s banking on their fresh perspectives to rejuvenate the team. The challenge is clear: first-time NFL coordinators often face a steep learning curve, as seen with previous teams like the 2024 Patriots and the 2023 Cardinals, who struggled with similar setups.
Quinn is aware of the stakes. “I thought it was time for change, a new vision of how we’d want to go about it,” he explained. It’s a strategy that will test the mettle of the Commanders’ coaching staff as they gear up for the 2026 season.
Back in 2024, the Commanders had a standout year with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the charge, clinching the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and taking the team to the NFC Championship Game. However, the momentum faltered in 2025 due to injuries, resulting in a 5-12 finish, third in the NFC East.
Looking ahead, the Commanders are poised to retool through the draft and free agency, aiming to recapture their 2024 form. With Quinn’s bold new direction, the team is set for an intriguing journey in 2026.