The Washington Commanders’ coaching staff continues to take shape, and while there was some early buzz around a potential reunion between Jayden Daniels and a familiar face, the team is heading in a different direction at quarterbacks coach.
Earlier this week, the Commanders requested permission to interview Mike Bercovici, currently the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Carolina Panthers. Bercovici, 32, is no stranger to Daniels - the two go back to their days at Arizona State, where Bercovici was a graduate assistant in 2019 during Daniels’ freshman season. That connection had fans and insiders wondering if Washington was eyeing a reunion to help ease Daniels’ transition into the NFL.
There was another layer to the potential hire: Bercovici also worked with new Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough during their time with the Arizona Cardinals. Blough was a quarterback on the roster, and Bercovici served as an offensive assistant, adding another thread of familiarity to the mix.
But that reunion won’t be happening - at least not in Washington. Instead, the Panthers are promoting Bercovici to offensive pass game coordinator, a move that keeps him in Carolina and off the Commanders' staff. Whether or not the interview ever took place remains unclear, but the door has now closed on that particular coaching connection.
Washington didn’t wait long to pivot. The team has officially hired D.J.
Williams as their new quarterbacks coach. Williams, a former college quarterback himself, brings more than just experience to the table - he brings legacy.
He’s the son of Doug Williams, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback who remains a respected figure in the Commanders’ front office. That connection to the franchise’s past, combined with his coaching acumen, makes Williams a compelling choice to mentor Daniels as the young quarterback begins his NFL journey.
While Bercovici won’t be on staff, his belief in Daniels has been clear from the start. Back in 2019, he spoke glowingly about the freshman QB’s potential.
“Jayden is special,” Bercovici said at the time. “I’m his hardest critic besides himself.
I give him more than he can handle then by the end of the week we filter it down to simplicity and speed and eyes. My biggest approach is seeing how in the two-minute drive, he can play fast reactional football.”
That early assessment has aged well. Daniels, now the face of the Commanders’ rebuild, has shown the kind of poise and playmaking ability that made him a top draft pick.
And while Bercovici won’t be in the building to help shape his NFL development, D.J. Williams will now take the lead in guiding the young quarterback forward.
The Commanders aren’t done yet. With Williams in place, they still need to fill out the rest of the offensive staff.
The assistant quarterbacks coach role remains vacant - a position that became open after Blough stepped up late last season when Tavita Pritchard left to take the head coaching job at Stanford. On top of that, Washington is still searching for an offensive line coach, a key hire as the team looks to solidify the protection around Daniels and build a cohesive, dynamic offense.
In a pivotal offseason for the franchise, every coaching decision matters - especially when it comes to developing a young quarterback. The Commanders have made their first move at QB coach. Now, the rest of the offensive puzzle awaits.