Bigger is better for the Washington Commanders and their offense, particularly in the running game, at least based on two specific changes made by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Those changes involve putting more beef in the trenches and dialling up extra running plays. Both adjustments are partly enforced by injuries, notably those to star quarterback Jayden Daniels and invaluable blocking tight end John Bates.
Yet, Kingsbury is also leaning into what the Commanders are doing best through three games of the 2025 NFL season. He’s establishing a new identity for a more physical unit reacting to changing circumstances.
In the process, the play-caller is also covering up for a not so hidden weakness among Washington’s skill players.
Commanders Adding Muscle to Changing Ground Game
Kingsbury beefed up his rushing attack in time for the visit of the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. He “turned to offensive tackle Trent Scott — he of the ‘Thick Six’ TD last season — as a big tight end for much of the game. He played 19 offensive snaps and reported as an eligible receiver on 13 of those,” according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
A great example of the effectiveness of adding 6-foot-5, 320-pound Scott to the line of scrimmage was highlighted by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger at the 1:02 mark of this post.
Putting a sixth lineman onto the field wasn’t the only wrinkle Kingbsury added to the rushing schemes. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach also “mixed it up a bit, using different personnel groupings and formations. The Commanders are a heavy 11 personnel (one RB, one TE) team, using that grouping on 73.1 percent of their plays in the first two weeks, according to TruMedia. But on Sunday, they were in 11 personnel for only 42.6 percent of their plays. They were in 12 personnel (one RB, two TEs) for 13.0 percent of their plays and 21 personnel (two RBs, one TE) for 5.6 percent. They were in 21 personnel for Jeremy McNichols’ 60-yard touchdown run,” per Jhabvala.
As much as different formations gave the Commanders an edge on the deck, Kingsbury emphasized the advantage with misdirection. Like when the offense showed the Raiders an unbalanced line with Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil kicked over to the right side, while tight end Ben Sinnott blocked the other way to clear the path for backup quarterback Marcus Mariota run for 14 yards.
The design left the Commanders “Essentially getting two lead blocks by TE’s to the weak side with a Read on EMOL. Into the boundary with favorable numbers,” according to Last of the Fullbacks.
Unbalanced Tackle over, running Split Load read to the nub Y.
Essentially getting two lead blocks by TE’s to the weak side with a Read on EMOL.
Into the boundary with favorable numbers.
#RaiseHailSinnott stepping up to replace Bates so impressively, helped power Kingsbury’s changes, but this isn’t the first time the man with the play sheet has altered his plans.
Kliff Kingsbury Continuing to Evolve
He was long known for a fidelity to “Air Raid” concepts, but Kingsbury has been more adaptable than he’s often given credit for since returning to the NFL. The 46-year-old surprised many with a key change last season, one that helped Daniels be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
This season, Kingsbury is changing not only to protect Mariota as a serviceable starter while Daniels is injured, but also to compensate for a lack of star receivers beyond Terry McLaurin. The latter is still the No. 1 wideout on the roster, but he’s also on the shelf, leaving multi-purpose playmaker Deebo Samuel to make more of a dent in the passing game.
Samuel is still a viable rushing threat, but support is sketchy, despite 2025 NFL draft fourth-pick Jaylin Lane showing potential on special teams, as well as second-year pro Luke McCaffrey catching his first touchdown in the pros against the Raiders. Finally, veteran Noah Brown remains brittle with erratic hands, so the Commanders aren’t equipped to be a pass-first offense.
That’s why Kingsbury’s play calling has become decidedly run-heavy. Against the Raiders, the Commanders executed “run plays 58.3 percent of the time, their highest rate since Week 18 of the 2022 season,” according to Jhabvala.
The emphasis enabled a cobbled-together backfield committee to lead a ground and pound effort during last week’s 41-24 win. Backup runners like Chris Rodriguez Jr. ensured injured veteran Austin Ekeler wasn’t missed, while the Commanders are staying productive even after trading starter Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington’s offense is winning on the ground because Kingsbury is changing the blueprint to suit and protect unheralded personnel. That’s smart coaching and why Kingsbury should be in line for another top job in the near future.
Kliff Kingsbury Changing Commanders Offense in Big Ways