Analyst tips Kliff Kingsbury to help Commanders QB Jayden Daniels excel

Dan Quinn has wide-ranging contacts around the NFL. This allowed the Washington Commanders' head coach to form the best possible coaching staff capable of putting his grand plans into action. However, someone else helped get one key appointment over the line.

It seemed as if Kliff Kingsbury was heading to the Las Vegas Raiders. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach spent one season working alongside Caleb Williams at USC and was ready to return to the professional landscape. Antonio Pierce thought it was a done deal until the Commanders swooped at the 11th hour.

A phone call from Magic Johnson tipped the scales in Washington's favor. Although it wouldn't be Williams - who was destined for the Chicago Bears from a long way out at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft - this also represented the chance to work with a supremely talented rookie quarterback. Kingsbury was sold and became the team's new offensive coordinator.

Kliff Kingsbury can help Commanders QB Jayden Daniels thrive in 2024

Even though things ended sourly in Arizona, Kingsbury is still widely respected across the league. Adam Rank from NFL.com loved his fit with the Commanders. The analyst also believes that Jayden Daniels can benefit greatly from his presence thanks to his sterling work with promising quarterbacks previously.

"And [Dan] Quinn has Kliff [Kingsbury] running his offense! I really like this. Kingsbury lost more games than he won as head coach in Arizona, but his Cardinals teams did have their moments on offense. OK, so his hiring didn't presage Caleb Williams, whom Kingsbury coached at USC last year, coming to town. Even so, Kingsbury's past success with dynamic QBs like Williams, Kyler Murray and, yes, Patrick Mahomes is an encouraging sign when it comes to how he'll help Jayden Daniels develop."

- Adam Rank, NFL.com

Kingsbury made a good first impression throughout early workouts. He knows the special gifts Daniels brings to the table and is molding a scheme to suit his strengths. He's a laid-back character who knows how to get his message across effectively. This resonates well with the modern-day player rather than previous offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's old-school methods that rubbed most players up the wrong way.

This isn't going to guarantee success, but it's a good place to start.

Kingsbury and Daniels are a good match. Washington improved its pass-catching options to further assist their cause in 2024. The one big question centers on the offensive line, so the coordinator must implement blocking concepts that limit significant risks during the former LSU star's important transition.

After that, everything should fall into place.

Some analysts believe Kingsbury wasn't deserving of another prominent opportunity so soon after his Cardinals' tenure concluded. Others seem confident this can be the stepping stone to potentially enter head coaching consideration once again. Something that would transform Washington's offense into an exceptional unit along the way.

The Commanders pulled out all the stops to secure Kingsbury's services. They feel like his coaching methods, schematic concepts, and approachable demeanor can get more from this group of players. Now, the progressive coach must repay this faith.

If he accomplishes this feat and the Commanders enjoy a little bit of luck on the health front, it's all systems go.