Head coach Dan Quinn has taken significant heat for the Washington Commanders' botched final play against the New York Giants. Quarterback Jayden Daniels also took severe criticism for the team's complete mismanagement of a winning situation.
Offensive coordinator David Blough flew under the radar in comparison. But that doesn't mean the rookie play-caller wasn't holding himself at fault behind the scenes.
And during his first media availability since the fiasco, Blough made that perfectly clear.
David Blough took accountability as Commanders looked to shield him
Quinn has tried to shield everyone from the scathing vitriol that came their way. As head coach, it ultimately falls on him. But this was a collective failure, and Blough probably deserved more blame for the way things went down.
He knows it, too.
Blough said he is the last line of communication with Daniels. He called the play, and it was on him to relay the information into the signal-caller's headset before the snap. Something went awry, and the Commanders paid a heavy price.
"I'm the one with the last line of communication to the quarterback. It falls on me. We have high expectations as a group, as it pertains to communication and excellence, and I'm the leader of the unit."
Commanders OC David Blough on the final play: "I'm the one last line of communication with the quarterback. It falls on me." pic.twitter.com/3dA9nwU6dJ
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 16, 2026
Everyone knows how big a failure this is. And Blough is among those who came out of Week 5 with enormous regret.
However, the former quarterback also saw something that convinced him that the Commanders can put this behind them and come out swinging the rest of the way.
Blough spoke to the resolve displayed by everyone in the locker room. Instead of the finger-pointing and arguments that could arise after an incident like this, they came together. The page has been turned, and everyone is moving on to the next challenge.
David Blough sees resolve in Commanders to recover from Week 5 blunder
That did not go unnoticed. And even though Blough acknowledged that managing the scars will be difficult, this purpose has only made him stronger.
"My favorite part is seeing the resolve of our group. I know it's a scar we all wear, but we go forward, and that's all we can do."
Blough was complicit, perhaps more than anybody. He's a rookie play-caller, so he was always going to make some mistakes.
This was a big one, but it's time to move forward.
It's one play. Blough's reputation as a fast-rising coach who could one day land a top job was tarnished slightly, but it won't mean much in the grand scheme of things if he reaches the level Quinn expects.
While it was far from ideal. The positive response, given such an embarrassing situation, has been particularly telling.
Everyone is still pulling for one another. Everyone is still firmly behind Quinn, and that has only grown after he took the fire rather than passing the blame. But for Blough and everyone else, repaying this faith is crucial.
There is still confidence in Blough. It was never going to be smooth sailing, but what comes next matters.
Blough cannot let this moment define him. That's a much bigger problem, but after holding himself accountable, he's now on to the next challenge.
And it's a big one — Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.
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