Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough is already turning heads over the first three weeks of the season, and fans should have more than one reason to breathe a sigh of relief.
Blough was a risky hire, considering his lack of experience even as a lead positional coach. But head coach Dan Quinn believed in him, and it's a good thing he did, because Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell did too, and he considered him for his own opening.
And if the Commanders hadn't promoted Blough? One of the other names floated at the time has been nothing short of an abject disaster with his new team.
David Blough already proving Commanders right as Mike McDaniel struggles
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was infamously part of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree that you've probably seen a billion graphics during prime-time games reminding you he formed Washington's staff in 2013. Back then, he was the team's wide receivers coach.
McDaniel, who went on to serve as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins for four seasons, also has history with Quinn as an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons between 2015 and 2019. That made him a quality candidate for Washington's opening after he became available.
Many fans believed the Commanders needed an experienced, "safe" hire, given the stakes of the 2026 season. But they went with Blough instead, leaving Quinn in a position where he'd cemented his fate if the 31-year-old failed.
Blough is already making the Commanders anxious about how they'll keep him in the building, with the rookie play-caller touted as a future head-coaching candidate after his masterclass against the Seattle Seahawks. McDaniel, meanwhile, is partly responsible for the Chargers being 0-3.
David Blough and Mike McDaniel are heading down to very different paths to start 2026
The Chargers began the season by losing two home games to teams they were heavy favorites against. They now face a daunting stretch of their schedule that could legitimately leave them 0-6 at their bye week.
And McDaniel's offense has been nothing short of anemic.
The Bolts haven't put up more than 16 points in any game thus far. Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert has more interceptions than touchdown passes. Their weapons are sub-optimal, but it's McDaniel's job to scheme them open.
Ultimately, McDaniel's resume is looking like a product of having prime Tyreek Hill to work with in Miami. His scheme's success was heavily predicated on speed, which the Chargers don't have. And it's hard to envision him doing much better in Washington if Quinn had gone down this route.
The Commanders dodged a major bullet with McDaniel. Quinn chose the upside over the safe hire, and it turns out the "safe" hire might have sent him straight to the unemployment line.
There is a long way to go, of course. But Quinn can feel vindicated by how his bold choice is going.
Long may it continue.
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