Much of the speculation leading into the offseason has centered on the Washington Commanders possibly firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. That seems like a foregone conclusion to most around the league, but head coach Dan Quinn may also be seeking someone else to run his offense for good measure.
Kliff Kingsbury could approach this year's head-coaching cycle differently than in 2025. The play-caller wasn't interested in leaving Washington's ambitious project after so much success. Things haven't gone according to plan this time around, so it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him become more receptive if interest arrives.
And according to one respected NFL insider, Kingsbury will be an interesting name to watch with a couple of viable destinations at the forefront.
NFL insider continues to link Kliff Kingsbury with head coaching vacancies
Jeremy Fowler from ESPN thought Kingsbury's name would still come up in conversations. He labeled the Tennessee Titans as a fantastic fit. The insider also thought the Las Vegas Raiders make sense if Pete Carroll ends up being one-and-done in the desert.
"[Kliff] Kingsbury's head coaching candidacy is interesting despite Washington's struggles. He's a potential fit in Tennessee, with a young quarterback in Cam Ward who fits his style of offense. Las Vegas, should that job open as many around the league expect, will take a hard look at improving its offense. Kingsbury has been selective but is also open to becoming a head coach again. So while he's not the shiniest name because of Washington's record, I could see him being in the mix again."Jeremy Fowler
The Titans need someone to nurture Cam Ward's obvious talent. Kingsbury's track record is outstanding, so he might get an interview in the near future. The New York Giants are the only other team with a vacancy right now, but that is expected to change when the 2025 campaign concludes.
Las Vegas is interesting. They did everything in their power to secure the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, and Carroll could make way for a younger coach. Kingsbury was on track to become the Raiders' offensive coordinator in 2024 before the Commanders came calling. Whether that will help or hinder his hopes of getting the top job is debatable.
Kingsbury could easily stay, too. The Commanders' record isn't working in his favor, but he has prior head-coaching experience. He will be determined to right a wrong after how things ended with the Arizona Cardinals. He's also learned a significant amount from Quinn, who remains one of the most respected leaders around despite things falling by the wayside this season.
It'll be interesting to see if there is any fire behind Kingsbury's smoke, but the Commanders must prepare effectively for every eventuality.