Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was an enormous fan of former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. It’s not stunning since Daniels had the best rookie season in NFL historical past underneath Kingsbury’s tutelage in 2024.
However, issues went off the rails in 2025. Much of that was because of accidents. Daniels missed 10 video games with completely different accidents, and Washington’s offense wasn’t the identical with out him and a wholesome Terry McLaurin. At the conclusion of a 5-12 season, head coach Dan Quinn had seen sufficient. He fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., which was anticipated. But it was stunning when phrase started to leak that the Commanders might additionally transfer on from Kingsbury.
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Washington did transfer on from Kingsbury, solely days after Daniels endorsed his return. The determination wasn’t made primarily based on Kingsbury’s 2025 outcomes. It was in regards to the future. Quinn and GM Adam Peters needed the Commanders to maneuver ahead with a extra conventional offense quite than Kingsbury’s fast-break, no-huddle offense. An offense that may take a few of the stress off Daniels and play him extra underneath middle.
While the Commanders interviewed a number of candidates, it was clear that assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough was all the time the man. Quinn had recognized him as a future star as soon as Kingsbury added him to his offensive workers in 2024. Another advantage of promoting the 30-year-old former NFL quarterback: Daniels cherished Blough.
Daniels and Blough had been shut, having spent the previous two years collectively. If Washington was going ahead with a brand new offense, it made sense to rent somebody with shut ties to Daniels.
The Commanders opened OTAs this week, and it was the primary likelihood to see Daniels in Blough’s new offense. While reporters weren’t going to see a lot, there was loads of Daniels underneath middle. His teammates had been impressed along with his command of the brand new offense.
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What does Daniels consider Blough now being his offensive coordinator?
“It’s fun, he said after Wednesday’s OTA. “I imply, it has been superior simply to see his offensive thoughts, his inventive thoughts, and juices flowing, and we’re constructing this factor collectively.”
Daniels likes Blough’s offense.
“I like the offense. I imply, I like what Blough’s doing. I like how he is creating and designing various things, after which we’re going from there.”
It made sense to go with an offensive coordinator with ties to Daniels. While that helped Blough’s case, that’s not the only reason he was hired. Other teams wanted to hire him. Quinn truly believes in Blough’s vision and didn’t feel he needed to wait after getting into coaching only two years ago.
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So, did Daniels have a voice in Blough’s promotion?
“I’d say I was in the loop, however a whole lot of stuff is above my pay grade, in order that’s it,” Daniels said.
This makes sense. Daniels should have a voice, while Quinn’s decision should always be with Daniels and the organization’s future in mind. While Daniels proved he could thrive in Kingsbury’s offense, there was always a ceiling to it, regardless of the quarterback’s talent. Quinn and the Commanders wanted a running game that was married to the passing game. They wanted more play-action possibilities, which was almost impossible under Kingsbury. Washington believes this will make Daniels even more dangerous in 2026 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels impression on David Blough promotion