Things are going to look different for quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2026. The Washington Commanders are under pressure to turn the tide, and head coach Dan Quinn displayed his ruthless tendencies by firing both coordinators.
And now, Daniels could be set to lose another trusted ally who is gaining alluring glances from around the league.
Most fans thought defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. would be gone. Even though there were reports of a disconnect between Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Adam Peters, the front-office leader left the coaching side to Quinn. A meeting was held, and compromises couldn't be reached.
Commanders could lose David Blough as coach generates interest from the Lions
Kingsbury was free to take his chances elsewhere. Quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard left during the season to take Stanford's head coaching job. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson was also removed from the equation, leaving the Commanders facing several critical decisions that will shape the franchise's future.
This upheaval could get worse, too. According to Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network, the Detroit Lions have requested permission to speak with David Blough about their offensive coordinator vacancy. He spent time with the NFC North club as a player, and the senior insider called him a "sneaky hot name" worth monitoring closely.
Blough stepped up into the interim quarterbacks coach position once Pritchard departed. He's highly thought of in the building and seems to be on a fast track up the coaching ladder. Unfortunately for Washington, this isn't going unnoticed, and the Lions want to know whether he is ready for the step up to play-calling responsibilities.
The Commanders will prepare for every eventuality. Blough was hired on Kingsbury's recommendation, so he could follow the play-caller wherever he ends up. He is also extremely ambitious, so a return to the Lions to run an offense loaded with exceptional playmakers would be extremely difficult to turn down.
This is the first legitimate upheaval Daniels has experienced in the pros. Everything was stable around him during a rookie campaign for the ages. Even when things weren't going well this season, there was always a solid support system in place to navigate turbulent times.
That's now diminished significantly. If Blough also departs, it will evaporate completely, making Quinn's next moves critical if they want to maximize Daniels' rookie contract.
A coordinator gig may come a little too soon for Blough. That doesn't mean he won't be examining other avenues of employment. The Commanders cannot get caught on the back foot, and there should be a queue of suitors waiting to jump at the chance of working alongside Daniels.
Watch this space, I guess...