Dan Quinn could see that changes were needed this offseason. He freely admits he waited too long to make the desired alterations during his time as the Atlanta Falcons' head coach. He was not going to make the same mistake with the Washington Commanders.
The moves were drastic. Joe Whitt Jr. and Kliff Kingsbury were both removed from the equation. They were replaced by Daronte Jones and David Blough, who have innovative ideas but no play-calling experience in the NFL pressure cooker. It's a monumental gamble, but it just might work if the personnel is enhanced by general manager Adam Peters.
Washington's new direction hasn't been praised by everybody. Chris Simms of NBC Sports was among the most vocal in voicing his displeasure. In fact, the former quarterback was almost in disbelief.
Chris Simms blasts Commanders coach Dan Quinn for replacing Kliff Kingsbury with David Blough
Simms pulled no punches on Quinn. He couldn't fathom how replacing Kingsbury with Blough was perceived as a good idea. And if it fails, the analyst believes that Washington's current leader will be looking for work this time next year.
"You disgruntle your quarterback by changing the offensive coordinator, who he loves and has a relationship with, and is one of the best offensive coordinators in the sport. And you hire a guy that hasn't done anything close to that? To me, one of the craziest moves of the offseason so far. Crazy. David Blough was a practice squad quarterback two years ago. Now he's calling plays for the Washington Commanders and Jayden Daniels? Ass is on the hot seat with decisions like that. It better go good."Chris Simms via Pro Football Talk
This seems pretty short-sighted.
The offense was not good last season, even when everyone was healthy. Kingsbury's scheme was too easy to figure out, and he failed to make the necessary adjustments under difficult circumstances. His stubbornness about the offense's future direction was the tipping point, and Blough will bring pro-style, modern concepts that Quinn believes can help Jayden Daniels take the next step.
Blough may be a rookie play-caller, but his reputation in league circles is already established. He's an unassuming character who goes about his business quietly and effectively. He's also worked with Daniels before and has a firm vision for the system he plans to install. And, as Quinn recently stated, every coordinator in the league had to start somewhere.
If Simms' stance on Kingsbury being among the league's best offensive coordinators was accurate, then why weren't teams banging down his door with offers once his departure from Washington was confirmed?
He got one head coaching interview. He was considered for the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator job, but they went with Brian Daboll. Kingsbury eventually landed on the Los Angeles Rams, but he won't call plays. Compare that to Mike McDaniel, who got countless interviews before eventually deciding to link up with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert on the Los Angeles Chargers.
There is no comparison.
It might work; it might not. But for Quinn, standing pat and hoping for the best was not an option.