Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is reeling from another job rejection. This time, it came from the New York Giants, who thought Matt Nagy was a better option to be their new play-caller and work closely with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Interest hasn't been all that hot in Kingsbury after the Commanders cut ties. He received one head-coaching interview. Only two teams wanted to speak with him about their offensive coordinator vacancies, and they went in different directions.
It's a brutal reality check for Kingsbury, who turned down head coach offers this time last year. One NFL analyst twisted the knife into Washington's former coordinator, which shows how his skills are currently perceived around the league.
NFL analyst highlights why Kliff Kingsbury is being overloooked after Commanders exit
Ted Nguyen, senior writer at The Athletic, highlighted Kingsbury's offense having a short shelf life as a reason why teams might be casting their eyes elsewhere during this cycle. There is still time to change this narrative, but it's also extremely concerning for a coach suddenly on the outside looking in.
"Kliff [Kingsbury] has become GQ Greg Roman. Great for a couple of years and a creative run game designer, but ultimately, you hit your ceiling with him and will need someone to take you over the top. Still young enough to change the narrative, though."Ted Nguyen
Nguyen isn't alone in this assessment of Kingsbury. The Kliff Cliff is a term used to describe how his offensive schematics typically tail off the longer he stays with an organization. There are no real adjustments, and it's a more college-style offense with a lot of shotgun and even more pressure on the quarterbacks.
Head coach Dan Quinn wanted a change in approach. Kingsbury was seemingly unwilling to budge during a meeting after the season concluded, and both parties went their separate ways. The coach is now facing the prospect of sitting out the 2026 season, with options for an immediate return to work dwindling.
Maybe a year away is what Kingsbury needs to refocus and assess the sort of offense he plans to implement if another opportunity eventually arises. Getting the chance to step back, study league trends, and devise a system more in line with modern concepts will only help his cause. And as Nguyen said, he is still young enough to change his narrative.
The Commanders felt like David Blough could offer a lot more despite his complete lack of coaching experience. It's a gamble, but there is no longer alignment between Quinn and Kingsbury. Something had to be done.
This was only going to end one way. Still, not getting another job quickly is a gut punch that demands a complete rethink from Kingsbury's perspective.