The Washington Commanders were expected to cast a wide net before hiring their next offensive coordinator. As it turned out, head coach Dan Quinn merely went through the formalities before a shocking in-house promotion.
In a stunning move, the Commanders reportedly named David Blough as Kliff Kingsbury's successor. They interviewed two outside candidates to comply with NFL procedures. They also spoke with Brian Johnson and David Raih — two members of Washington's current staff. But with the Detroit Lions circling, the quarterback-turned-coach was the guy.
This caused significant debate among the fan base. Quinn is under enormous pressure to turn the tide next season. Taking a gamble with someone who hasn't even been a position coach until Tavita Pritchard left for Stanford. It's a high-risk move, but Blough is highly thought of in league circles and appears ready for a significant increase in responsibilities.
Dan Quinn is betting his Commanders' future on David Blough
It's also a sign that Quinn is drawing on past experiences to make his decisions. He'll no doubt remember Matt LaFleur and Mike McDaniel taking their chances elsewhere when he was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He clearly didn't want the same thing to happen again with Blough, who has worked with respected offensive minds such as Ben Johnson and Kevin O'Connell in recent years.
Fans were expecting something bigger. McDaniel became their primary target after he left the Miami Dolphins, but it seems like he could be another head-coaching job quickly. Quinn didn't want to drag out the process, and there is obvious conviction in the building that Blough can eventually become an upgrade.
He's got no play-calling experience. Blough's been around the game for a long time, but there is just no telling for sure how he'll handle the pressure cooker. And with Quinn fighting to avoid speculation about his own future beyond 2026, it is a massive risk.
But sometimes, with massive risk comes massive reward.
His appointment also keeps some semblance of continuity around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Kingsbury and Pritchard are not around. Blough has worked with the LSU product for two seasons, so there is an already established relationship. There is a lot to be said for familiarity, but the play-caller will be under pressure to devise a scheme that maximizes his skill set while minimizing the risk of injury.
The Commanders didn't want to lose an up-and-coming coach. Quinn knows what that feels like, and he was eager to see history not repeat itself. The stars aligned perfectly for Blough, but whether he's up to the task remains to be seen.
If he's not, Quinn will pay with his job.