The Kliff Kingsbury era in Washington ended just as quickly as it began - and that was always part of the expectation. From the moment the Commanders brought him in as offensive coordinator, there was a sense around the building that Kingsbury wouldn’t be sticking around for long. Not because of performance issues, but because his résumé and reputation would likely pull him back into a head coaching role sooner rather than later.
That didn’t quite happen - at least not yet. After parting ways with Washington on January 6, just two days after the Commanders’ disappointing 2025 season came to a close, Kingsbury has been active on the interview circuit.
He’s already met with multiple teams for head coaching opportunities, though none have materialized into a job. Still, his phone isn’t staying quiet.
Several offensive coordinator openings remain, and one in particular could keep him in the NFC East.
According to reports, Kingsbury is expected to be in the mix for a spot on John Harbaugh’s new staff with the New York Giants. That would be an intriguing fit - and not just because of the division familiarity.
The Giants are starting fresh under Harbaugh, and they’ve got a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart who fits the mold Kingsbury has worked with throughout his career. Dart’s a dual-threat passer with athleticism and arm talent, and that’s the exact archetype Kingsbury has had success with - dating all the way back to his college days.
At Texas A&M, he helped Johnny Manziel win a Heisman. At Texas Tech, he coached a raw but electric Patrick Mahomes.
In the NFL, he’s worked with Kyler Murray and, most recently, Jayden Daniels in Washington.
That 2024 season with Daniels was arguably Kingsbury’s best work at the pro level. He built an offense that played to Daniels’ strengths - mobility, quick decision-making, and the ability to stretch the field - and turned the Commanders into one of the more exciting units in the league.
It wasn’t just flashy; it was efficient. That version of Kingsbury’s offense gave Washington real identity.
Then came 2025, and the wheels didn’t fall off so much as they got pulled off by injury. Daniels missed 10 games, and the offense struggled to find a rhythm with the revolving door at quarterback.
Still, given the circumstances - including significant turnover on the roster - Kingsbury managed to keep things functional. It wasn’t enough to save the season, but it was enough to remind people around the league that he can coach.
Washington, meanwhile, had a succession plan in place. When Kingsbury moved on, the Commanders didn’t waste time.
They promoted assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough just three days later, after interviewing five candidates. It was a move that signaled continuity and belief in the system already in place.
The Commanders weren’t the only NFC East team making big changes this offseason. Daronte Jones was brought in as Washington’s new defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys hired Christian Parker to run their defense. The Eagles tapped Sean Mannion to lead their offense.
And then, of course, there are the Giants - resetting the entire foundation under Harbaugh.
If Kingsbury does land in New York, it wouldn’t just be a reunion with a familiar division. It would be a chance to work with another dynamic young quarterback and help shape the identity of a franchise looking for its next chapter. For a coach with Kingsbury’s track record of developing quarterbacks and designing high-powered offenses, that’s the kind of opportunity that could be the perfect fit - even if it’s only for a year or two.