The Washington Commanders need a new offensive coordinator after parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury. Mike McDaniel has just been fired as Miami Dolphins head coach. He has a special, unbreakable bond with Dan Quinn that goes way beyond football. The dots connect themselves.
McDaniel is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the game. He should get some head-coaching interest for an immediate jump back into a top job elsewhere. However, if he opts to move back into a more play-calling specific role, the Commanders should make him their most pressing priority above all else.
And if this scenario came to fruition, the Commanders' choice at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft could take a seismic shift along the way.
Commanders could draft Jeremiyah Love if they hire Mike McDaniel as OC
Washington wants to maximize quarterback Jayden Daniels' skill set with a well-balanced offense. Quinn and Kingsbury couldn't come to an agreement on the best way to move forward, and the play-caller was let go. McDaniel is one of the few who could be considered an upgrade, given his experience under Mike and Kyle Shanahan, among others. He also runs the precise offensive system the Commanders want to implement.
A heavy run game with zone-blocking concepts would be a revelation. The Commanders have two talented young running backs in Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Even so, McDaniel may want a legitimate difference-maker with elite-level potential.
There is one such prospect in the draft. That, of course, is Jeremiyah Love.
Taking a running back in the top 10 is a gamble of epic proportions, especially with so many other needs facing Washington this offseason. The Commanders have plenty of cash to spend in free agency. If Peters can fill the holes needed, they might have the luxury of bringing the Notre Dame prospect into the fold.
Love took college football by storm this season, racking up 1,652 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish. He's got everything in his locker to be a star in the pros from the moment he gets onto the field. The Commanders may be content with what they have, but it's hard not to be enticed by his credentials within McDaniel's concepts.
The Detroit Lions have already reached out to McDaniel. They won't be the last, so Quinn needs to act swiftly. He also needs to tap into his previous connection with the play-caller to bolster the Commanders' chances of sealing the deal. Nothing else will do.
If that means they have to draft Love to put McDaniel's plan into motion, so be it.