Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury delivered a detailed and confident message Thursday, addressing the team’s offensive challenges and quarterback situation. With starter Jayden Daniels managing an injury, Kingsbury praised veteran backup Marcus Mariota and the tight-knit quarterback room for maintaining high standards.
“Yeah, last year just being around him for a year when we signed him back, we felt like we have two starters in the building, which is rare in this league,” Kingsbury said of Mariota. “Anytime he’s asked to play or practice or even on scout team, he’s been phenomenal. He treats it like a pro as a leader on the team despite not being the starter, which is hard to do. If he has to go, I’m sure he will be ready.”
Kingsbury clarified that Mariota is handling physical reps while Daniels continues to prepare mentally. “Marcus is getting the reps physically, Jayden preparing mentally and we take it from there,” he said, underscoring the team’s readiness should a quarterback change be necessary.
The offensive coordinator credited quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and assistant David Blough for building a cohesive room. He jokingly added, “Across the board, I would let anybody in that room marry my hypothetical daughter except Sam Hartman because he’s way too good looking, but just phenomenal people above all else.”
Adjusting the Offense After Injuries and Player Development
Losing running back Austin Ekeler for the season forced Kingsbury to rethink the backfield approach. “Yeah, more by committee, there’s no doubt,” he said. “That’s a tough loss. I feel really bad for Austin, incredible contributor in the locker room and on the field, was really playing at a high level this year, so that hurts. But we have some young backs that are excited to get more touches and so it’ll be kind of that group that’s been playing just getting more of the load.”
He highlighted Chase Edmonds’ leadership in mentoring Bill Croskey-Merritt. “Chase is one of the most dialed-in players I’ve been around,” Kingsbury said. “To get a guy like that who knows the system, can still play at a high level, and help mentor Bill Croskey-Merritt was a huge addition for us.”
Replacing Ekeler’s run-after-catch ability presents a challenge. “Just the run after catch stuff and the ability to make people miss in space,” Kingsbury said. “The first guy never tackled him, and that kind of hidden yardage will be missed.”
Kingsbury also addressed tight end John Bates’ absence and rookie lineman Josh Conerly Jr.’s rapid development. He credited veteran Laremy Tunsil for mentoring Conerly. “That’s been awesome to see LT really take him under his wing,” Kingsbury noted. “They work on pass sets, talk through things, and that’s the type of person he is. It will only help Josh battle through this gauntlet of tough defenders.”
Getting Star WR Involved and Going Early
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s double teams have limited big plays, but Kingsbury expects opportunities to grow as the unit improves. “They know he’s a huge part of this offense and when he gets going, we’re really hard to stop,” he mentioned to NFL Insider Lake Lewis Jr. “As the offense builds together, they won’t be able to double him as much.”
Kingsbury admitted the offense remains a work in progress after uneven performances against the Giants and Packers. “Any opportunities we had, we didn’t make the most of, but it’s week two,” he said. “We gotta keep getting better, gotta keep learning together. It was good to get back this week and practice, to build as a unit. I think we’re a work in progress right now.”
With a matchup against the Raiders approaching, Kingsbury’s confidence in his players and his insistence on continued growth sets a clear tone: the Commanders will keep evolving, no matter the setbacks.
Commanders’ OC Confident in Quarterback Depth and Team Chemistry