Jayden Daniels Is Taking the Reins - And Washington’s Offense Is Following His Lead
Jayden Daniels is no stranger to change - but this offseason, the change feels different. It feels personal. After a turbulent stretch that saw his quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard leave for Stanford and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury part ways with the Commanders, Daniels suddenly finds himself in a pivotal position: not just as Washington’s starting quarterback, but as a central architect of the offense itself.
The Commanders are handing him the keys. Now it’s on Daniels to drive.
A New Voice in the Room - and a Familiar One
To restore some continuity in the wake of Kingsbury’s departure, Washington promoted David Blough to offensive coordinator. It’s a bold move.
Blough, a former NFL quarterback himself, was only a position coach for a brief stint after Pritchard left. He’s never called plays at this level.
But head coach Dan Quinn believes in his upside - particularly his creativity and ability to connect with players.
And perhaps most importantly, Daniels believes in him too.
Speaking on Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio and Chris Simms during Super Bowl week, Daniels made it clear: this isn’t just a new OC hire - it’s a partnership.
“I’ve been very vocal about the stuff I want to do,” Daniels said. “He’s been open.
He tells me all the time, ‘We want to build this offense for you.’ That’s kind of what a quarterback wants to hear.
I’m super excited for him to get his opportunity. I know what he can do, and I know the work he puts in.
We talk all the time, so I’m super excited to get back out there.”
That’s not just a quarterback giving a soundbite - that’s a franchise cornerstone signaling a culture shift. Daniels isn’t just running the offense. He’s helping shape it.
A Franchise QB Finding His Voice
Every elite quarterback eventually earns a seat at the table when it comes to offensive design. Daniels is getting his - and he’s not wasting time making his voice heard.
After a rocky 2025 season that saw the offense struggle and Daniels miss time, the Commanders knew something had to change. Reports suggest Kingsbury was reluctant to adapt, and after a critical meeting with Quinn, the team decided to move on. That decision opened the door for a more collaborative approach - one where Daniels’ strengths as a dual-threat quarterback can be fully unleashed.
But this isn’t just about giving Daniels what he wants. It’s about building something sustainable.
Blough’s job now is to strike the right balance - honoring Daniels’ input while crafting a scheme that elevates the entire offense. That’s no easy task, but Blough’s background as a player gives him a unique advantage.
He knows what it’s like to be in that huddle. He understands the nuance between listening to your quarterback and letting him run the show.
The Stakes Are Clear - and So Is the Opportunity
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Daniels is the guy in Washington. When he’s on the field, the Commanders have a shot.
When he’s not, the wheels come off - and 2025 proved that in real time. That kind of impact doesn’t just make him the face of the franchise; it makes him the foundation.
But with that status comes responsibility. Daniels will have more say in the offense than ever before, but he’ll also need to trust his coaches, embrace structure, and lead the locker room through inevitable growing pains.
This isn’t about Daniels calling plays from the sideline - it’s about building a system that maximizes his dynamic skill set and puts the team in the best position to succeed. If Blough can thread that needle, and if the pieces around Daniels - from the offensive line to the receiver room - take a step forward, Washington could be cooking with gas sooner than expected.
Bottom Line
Jayden Daniels is stepping into a new chapter - not just as a quarterback, but as a leader with real influence over the direction of the franchise. The Commanders are betting on his voice, his vision, and his ability to elevate the offense from the inside out.
Now it’s about execution. If Daniels and Blough can turn this partnership into production, Washington’s offense might just have its long-awaited breakthrough.