The Washington Commanders didn’t waste time replacing Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, instead acting fast to hire from within. In the process, the Commanders beat the Detroit Lions to hand a “rising” assistant coach a significant promotion, one sure to make franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels happy.
Assistant QBs coach Blough officially took the reins as OC on Friday, January 9. The move up was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The latter also revealed “the #Lions showed real interest in Blough, and Washington acted fast to hire one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest offensive minds. Big hire.”
The #Lions showed real interest in Blough, and Washington acted fast to hire one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest offensive minds. Big hire.
Handing the headset to Blough means the Commanders have doubled down on their commitment to Daniels. He was supposed to be rattled by the decision to relieve Kingsbury of his duties, but the second-year signal-caller’s subsequent demands about what he wants from a new-look offense changed the narrative.
Blough knows what makes Daniels tick, so he should design a scheme to maximize the 25-year-old’s comfort levels. That’s an exciting prospect when the Commanders need Daniels fully healthy again and ready to rediscover the form that made him the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Yet, while Blough can get Daniels back on track, this is a major increase in responsibility for a 30-year-old coach who is getting fast-tracked above a few rungs on the ladder. It’s no-small risk, especially when the Commanders might have turned to a former head coach noted for calling dynamic offenses built on speed and motion.
Commanders Take David Blough Risk
Blough represents a risk, despite the strong interest from the Lions, first reported by Rapoport on January 7. As Rapoport pointed out, Blough enhanced his reputation when he stepped up after Daniels’ mentor left for the college ranks during the season.
A former quarterback for the Lions, Blough is well-versed in the mechanics of the position. He’s also somebody who boasts “experience in multiple systems, including under Ben Johnson in Detroit and Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota,” according to ESPN’s John Keim.
Both Johnson and O’Connell built explosive passing games to help different QBs revive their careers. Johnson did as much for Jared Goff in Detroit, while Sam Darnold became a Pro Bowler on O’Connell’s watch in 2024.
Blough’s primary task will be to plot a similar resurgence for Daniels.
Jayden Daniels’ Development the Priority for Kliff Kingsbury Replacement
Kingsbury’s play-calling could get pass-heavy on occasion, but he generally did a good job of protecting Daniels. Quick, short throws and a creative, power-based running game let Daniels focus on his strengths, such as mobility and playing at a fast pace.
Those things helped Daniels take the pros by storm, but there were signs of regression even before multiple injuries, including a dislocated elbow, shelved No. 5 for much of his second campaign. Worrying patterns like running too often and not throwing on the move hampered Daniels’ progress.
Blough must encourage smarter decisions about when to throw and when to run. He’ll also need to make more imaginative use of versatile playmakers like wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jaylin Lane.
It’s a lot to trust with a first-year coordinator, but the Commanders clearly believe continuity around Daniels is the best way to set the direction for their post-Kingsbury offense.
Commanders Beat Lions to ‘Rising’ Kliff Kingsbury Replacement