The Washington Commanders will enter the 2026 season with a much different look. They're younger. They're quicker. They don't have as many names, but they have more hope for the future.
All of that was part of the plan from general manager Adam Peters after his win-now strategy blew up in Washington's face. It's also overshadowed two moves that might have been the most instrumental of the offseason.
Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both out as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. They've been replaced by David Blough and Daronte Jones. Both are first-time NFL play-callers, which is a major risk for someone in head coach Dan Quinn's position.
Commanders' coordinator gambles could make-or-break Dan Quinn's future
But there's reason to believe it could pay off.
Kevin Sheehan of The Team 980 discussed the dilemma of having two first-time coordinators, pointing out what everybody already knows. Quinn's future, and likely the team's success, is hanging in the balance of whether or not they pan out.
Dan Quinn ditched his first offensive and defensive coordinators after two seasons. Do you have faith in the Commanders' new coordinators? pic.twitter.com/H0khsAtSzN
— The Team 980 (@team980) May 5, 2026
It's no secret that Quinn is a classic CEO-type head coach these days. As with most bench bosses in the league, the success of his job depends on whether his play callers are doing theirs. Last year, they did not, and he's been given one more chance to get it right.
In Quinn's position, he could have easily gone with experienced assistants who had head-coaching experience. Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris were among the names thrown out as possibilities. But he opted for a complete change and a big gamble.
Quinn promoted Blough, who was the assistant quarterbacks coach until the final month of the 2025 season. He hired Jones, who worked under Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings.
There is certainly a chance that both of them end up being duds, and the entire staff — including Quinn — is overhauled again after this season. There's also reason to believe Jones and Blough could be home-run hires who give the Commanders everything they need.
Blough has been touted as a rising star. The Detroit Lions were highly interested in hiring him for the same position before Washington kept him around in an increased role. Jones is an energetic motivator whose players have raved about him as a teacher, and he should have the Commanders' younger unit flying around the field with a fiery passion.
Banking on upside is the right call for Washington. It's also a refreshing change of pace, given both the Commanders' and Quinn's histories of fumbling up-and-coming assistants and having to settle for retreads.
Now, whether it works or not remains to be seen.
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