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A favorite player of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is a “name to watch” for the Washington Commanders in 2025 NFL free agency.
If there’s anyone who was humbled more by the steep drop off the Washington Commanders experienced from 2024 to 2025 than former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, feel free to share their name with the rest of the class.
In the case you rightly realize Kingsbury is the guy leading that particular misery index, also realize he’s hard at work looking for a redemption arc — and one that could very well land on the Commanders’ doorstep like a flaming bag of you-know-what.
Kingsbury, who was fired as the Commanders offensive coordinator following a 5-12 season in 2025, now seems like one of the favorites to become the next offensive coordinator for their NFC East Division rival New York Giants.
The Giants have a new head coach in John Harbaugh and a quarterback in need of guidance in 2025 first round pick Jaxson Dart — the perfect mix for Kingsbury.
“Sources: The Giants interviewed former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury virtually on Saturday for their open OC position,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on X on Sunday. “Kingsbury is one of several candidates the Giants have been intrigued by to pair with QB Jaxson Dart, under new HC John Harbaugh.”
“Source: Former Titans head coach Brian Callahan and former Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury are involved in Giants’ initial OC search,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on X. “New York plans to or has talked to them.”
Kingsbury Unceremoniously Dumped After Season
There weren’t many hotter names in coaching circles than Kingsbury after playing a big part in Washington’s surprise run to a 12-5 regular season and the NFC Championship Game in 2024 — a run that continued Kingsbury’s well-earned reputation as a Quarterback Kingmaker.
With the Commanders, Kingsbury took a rookie quarterback in 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels and turned him into one of the NFL’s best from the jump. Not only did Daniels win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year working with Kingsbury, but he also set the NFL rookie quarterback rushing record with 891 yards.
That’s why it was so shocking to see the Commanders fire Kingsbury after a season in which Daniels was never healthy, missed 10 games and seemed psyched to work with Kingsbury for a third season.
“Sources: Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Tuesday, January 6. “Kingsbury and HC Dan Quinn met today, and agreed to mutually part ways.”
Giants Seem Like Team to Watch in 2026
If it comes down to Kingsbury and Callahan — a pair of former NFL head coaches — then it seems like a no-brainer to go with Kingsbury.
As head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Callahan showed he didn’t even have a grasp of basic NFL rules.
In the last 2 decades as a football coach, Kingsbury has shown an ability to get the best out of quarterbacks on the both the college and pro level. That list is a Who’s Who of the best quarterbacks of the last decade with Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, Case Keenum, Caleb Williams, Johnny Manziel, Kyler Murray and Daniels.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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