Jan. 10, 2026, 12:42 a.m. ET
The Washington Commanders made a bold move on Friday, promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. Earlier this week, Washington and Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways after two years. Blough, a former NFL quarterback, played for Kingsbury and began his coaching career in 2024.
While it’s different ownership and different regimes, Washington wasn’t about to let someone it felt was the next coaching star out the door, as it did with Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel, and Kevin O’Connell. From the moment the Commanders parted ways with Kingsbury, Blough was immediately in the mix. Complicating things, though, was Detroit’s request to interview Blough.
Blough spent parts of three seasons in the NFL. He had two stints with the Lions from 2019-21 and in 2023, once serving as Jared Goff’s backup. The Lions saw firsthand Blough’s coaching potential and wanted him back to serve as offensive coordinator. Detroit recently fired Johnny Morton after only one season. Morton replaced Ben Johnson, who left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. Johnson served in multiple roles with the Lions while Blough was on the roster.
Kingsbury saw great potential in Blough while he was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and gave Blough his first coaching job with the Commanders. Blough quickly developed a rapport with Washington’s quarterbacks, specifically Jayden Daniels. Late in the season, quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard departed to take over as head coach of Stanford, and Blough took over the quarterbacks’ room.
Blough’s promotion was big news around the NFL on Friday evening. What were the reactions? It was almost unanimously positive.
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Here are some of those reactions.
Al GaldiKevin SheehanGrant PaulsenBarstool NatePFT CommenterAlbert BreerTed NguyenJosh NorrisBruce FeldmanMore reactions