The Washington Commanders have made a swift and significant move to reshape their coaching staff, appointing David Blough as their new offensive coordinator. The announcement on Saturday comes just days after the franchise parted ways with former coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
A Meteoric Rise Through the Ranks
At just 30 years old, Blough's promotion marks a remarkably rapid ascent in the NFL coaching world. He only retired from playing as a quarterback in 2023 and joined the Commanders as an assistant quarterbacks coach. His role expanded this past season when he stepped in as the interim quarterbacks coach following Tavita Pritchard's departure for Stanford.
Blough's playing career saw him as an undrafted standout from Purdue in 2019, with stints at the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in nine games, starting seven, and threw for 1,435 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Major Shakeup After Disappointing Season
This appointment is part of a substantial overhaul for head coach Dan Quinn's team after a 5-12 finish to the 2025 season, which saw them miss the playoffs entirely. The offensive struggles were pronounced, with the unit ranking 22nd in both scoring and total yardage, hampered by injuries to rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and problems along the offensive line.
As first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kingsbury met with Quinn on Tuesday, and the two mutually agreed to part ways. There is speculation Kingsbury may pursue head-coaching opportunities. Star quarterback Jayden Daniels expressed his support for Kingsbury, telling reporters, "I love working with Kliff. Me and him have a special relationship."
Defensive Changes and What Comes Next
The Commanders are also undergoing a defensive revamp, having dismissed defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. This move was anticipated after Whitt was stripped of play-calling duties in Week 11. The Commanders' defense surrendered more yards than any other team in the NFL in 2025.
Whitt's firing places him among three NFC East defensive coordinators let go this week, alongside the Dallas Cowboys' Matt Eberflus and the New York Giants' Shane Bowen. As with the offensive coordinator search, no clear favourite has yet emerged for the defensive coordinator role in Washington.
Blough, who spent four seasons as a backup quarterback in Detroit working under coaches like Ben Johnson and Kevin O’Connell, had also drawn interest from the Lions for his services. His intimate knowledge of the Commanders' system and his rapid development have now earned him one of the most critical jobs on the coaching staff as the franchise looks to rebound in 2026.
