There's nothing like some old-fashioned offseason hype in the NFL. Where the Washington Commanders are concerned, it is coming in the form of both new coordinators on Dan Quinn's coaching staff.
Daronte Jones' defense, revamped with youth and speed, figures to be much-improved (after all, it would be hard to be any worse) than the unit that ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed in 2025. But it's the offensive side of the ball that all eyes will be watching.
David Blough spent the past two seasons as Washington's assistant quarterbacks coach and is now the offensive coordinator. But everybody seems to believe that his vision will transform the Commanders' ability to move the ball down the field.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the latest to give David Blough his ringing endorsement
Blough is only 30 and is already being considered one of those hot young offensive geniuses who will be coveted for a head coaching position sooner rather than later. Based on early indications from offseason activities, he is already bringing a vastly different look to the Commanders' offense.
Just ask Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the fan-favorite second-year running back who led Washington in rushing yards and touchdowns as a seventh-round rookie season ago.
Catching up with Bill!
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 17, 2026
On how the new offense will benefit the run game.
Bill told me, "As a running back, you can see things before it happens. I feel like it's better than being in gun...it's a great day for the running backs." pic.twitter.com/E8G07la0am
As a graduate of the Dan Campbell-Ben Johnson offensive philosophy, Blough is sure to establish his run game. The Detroit Lions built their scoring powerhouse on the back of their 'Sonic and Knuckles' one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Last season, the Chicago Bears used D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to impose their will on the competition.
It will be a radical change of pace from Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid philosophy, which was known to outright abandon the run as he instituted an up-tempo, no-huddle offense best suited to the collegiate level. Under Blough, there will be creativity and deception, and everybody will benefit.
Croskey-Merritt will be part of a committee with pass-catching threat Rachaad White and ground-pounding rookie Kaytron Allen, but he will have every opportunity to build on his promising rookie year. He is Washington's best home-run threat due to his shiftiness in the backfield, and fans should expect to see him in the end zone on a regular basis.
If the Commanders' run game can assert itself, it will open up the passing attack for Jayden Daniels and the entire offense. Fans can only hope that the positive buzz from camp leads to more substance when the regular season begins in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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