Jan. 11, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn took a significant risk Friday by promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. Blough is 30, which isn’t a problem. However, he’s only been a coach for two years, both as Washington’s assistant quarterbacks coach.

This wasn’t a panic move from Quinn, though. Blough is viewed as a future star around the NFL, with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Bears coach Ben Johnson and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell singing his praises. Blough has been given credit for drawing up specific ways to attack different coverages.

He’s also has the trust of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Hiring a new offensive coordinator isn’t the only franchise-defining decision Quinn must make this offseason. He also needs a defensive coordinator after firing Joe Whitt Jr. last week. Quinn will have options. The Commanders have already interviewed at least three known candidates.

Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich stood out above the rest, mostly because of their close ties to Quinn. They weren’t the only candidate close to Quinn. Al Harris, the Chicago Bears defensive backs coach & defensive pass game coordinator, spent three seasons on Quinn’s staff when he was defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

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The Bears weren’t a great defense in 2025, but they forced more turnovers than any team in the NFL. Specifically, they led the NFL in interceptions. Harris was a big part of that turnaround. Chicago’s defensive turnaround was a major reason the Bears went from a four-win team to the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Leading the NFL in turnovers has followed Harris from his time in Dallas. No team forced more turnovers from 2021-23 when Quinn was the Dallas coordinator and Harris was his defensive backs coach.

Harris is also a big fan of Quinn, and vice versa. When the Commanders hired Quinn in 2024, he tried to bring Harris with him, but the Cowboys blocked the move. Now that Quinn needs a coordinator, might he give Harris a call?

Harris famously once said that he’d follow Quinn anywhere. If the Commanders offered him the defensive coordinator postion, the Bears could not block it. It would be a promotion for Harris.

There’s one problem, though. Harris has never called defensive plays. Would Quinn want to further risk his future by having two new coordinators who have never called plays before? Blough and Harris both could be elite coordinators, but would be another significant risk for Quinn, who needs to win in 2026.

Does this seemingly rule out Harris now? Probably not. Quinn proved he doesn’t care what others think when making these coordinator decisions. He will do what he thinks is in the best interest of the team, not necessarily his long-term future.

Harris should be a popular name for teams in need of a defensive coordinator. He’s earned the opportunity to move up. Will it be in Washington?