David Blough’s first real test as Washington Commanders offensive coordinator ended with a call that’s already under the microscope, and Tom Brady didn’t hold back when he weighed in on it for Fox Sports.
Blough, 31, is in just his third year of coaching and his first season running an offense. His debut assignment came against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis anchoring a defensive front and Vic Fangio calling the shots on the other side. Washington spent three quarters fighting uphill, but the Commanders found life late as Jayden Daniels helped fuel a fourth-quarter push.
Daniels was sharp when it mattered most, going 9 of 11 for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the final period. With just over a minute left, he hit rookie receiver Antonio Williams for a touchdown that pulled Washington within 24-22. From there, the Commanders were one two-point try away from sending the defending NFC East champions to overtime on the road in Week 1.
Instead, Blough’s answer was a pass that had tight end John Bates as one of the main options. Daniels took the snap and flipped a shovel pass to Bates moving across the left side of the formation. But center Nick Allegretti lost his battle, Moro Ojomo spun through and got to Bates almost immediately after the catch.
That was the end of Washington’s chance, and the call has drawn plenty of criticism. Some former NFL players and coaches have defended Blough, arguing that if the play is blocked correctly, the Commanders tie the game.
Brady, though, said the decision itself wasn’t the one he would have made.
“Whether it’s Terry McLaurin or Stefon Diggs, are you really thinking John Bates in that situation?” Brady said.
He wasn’t taking a shot at Bates, who has built a reputation as one of the league’s better blocking tight ends. Brady’s point was simpler: in that moment, the ball should be going to the offense’s best playmakers, beginning with Daniels. He said he would have preferred a call that put Washington’s top skill players in position to decide the game.
That led to Brady’s blunt takeaway for Blough:
“In big-time moments, you gotta think about players, not plays. They run the shovel pass to Bates.
Ojomo beats the block. That’s a pretty easy stop there for the Eagles’ defense.
I was thinking, give Daniels a run-pass option. You’ve got Terry.
You’ve got Stefon. I’m not thinking Bates.”
Players, not plays. It’s the kind of line a young coordinator is likely to remember.
Blough is scheduled to speak with the media on Thursday, and the final snap of Sunday’s loss is sure to come up. Whether Brady meant it as a warning or just a piece of hard-earned wisdom, the message was clear: in the biggest moments, trust the guys who change games.
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