The Washington Commanders managed to retain most of their coaching staff despite making the NFC Championship game in 2024. However, there was growing speculation linking one of their up-and-comers with a prominent college football position.
Tavita Pritchard was among the names being touted for the Stanford head coaching job. The Commanders' quarterbacks coach is gaining a lofty reputation in league circles and received interest for offensive coordinator vacancies this offseason. It came too soon during this cycle, but that won't be the case next time around if the same trend continues.
Pritchard drew rave reviews for his work with Jayden Daniels during the dynamic quarterback's phenomenal rookie rise in 2024. He nurtured the promising signal-caller, ensuring he was ready for anything en route to a first campaign for the ages. It wasn't surprising to see alluring glances from elsewhere arrive, which also included speculation regarding a return to his alma mater.
As it turned out, Cardinal general manager Andrew Luck had other ideas.
Stanford head coaching hire is major boost for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
According to Pete Thamel from ESPN, Stanford is hiring Frank Reich as their interim head coach for the 2025 season. This gives Luck some breathing space regarding a longer-term hire. It also gives the experienced coach a chance to resurrect his career after he was fired by the Carolina Panthers just 11 games into the 2022 season — his first with the club.
As for the Commanders? This confirms for sure that Pritchard will be on the staff in 2025. But the fact Stanford is keeping their options open means the situation could be revisited in the not-too-distant future.
Maintaining continuity around Daniels is crucial. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury resisted the urge to entertain NFL head coaching offers. David Blough had an approach from the Chicago Bears rejected. Pritchard is also sticking around next season, so having the same framework to aid the former LSU star is only going to help his cause.
Whether Pritchard will be around in 2026 is anyone's guess. He'd be a leading candidate for Washington's offensive coordinator vacancy if Kingsbury got a top job elsewhere. There could be stronger approaches from elsewhere if the Commanders put together another decent campaign. But there's a lot of football to go before this takes center stage.
The Commanders will have contingency plans in place for every eventuality. Blough looks like a ready-made candidate for promotion if Pritchard left at some stage. He's highly thought of within the organization despite his coaching journey being in its relative infancy. That's not a bad fall-back option from Washington's perspective.
Pritchard is a tremendous coach and shrewd talent developer. Just how much longer he'll be in Washington with an ascending reputation is anyone's guess. But the Commanders, and Daniels, will be much better for his presence over the coming months.
What comes after that is less certain…