Feb. 13, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET
When the Washington Commanders take the field in 2026, they will look different in several spots.
After a disappointing 5-12 record in 2025, head coach Dan Quinn moved on from both offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt was stripped of playcalling duties during the season, and Kingsbury and Quinn reportedly had philosophical differences.
Instead of going for veteran coordinators or ex-head coaches, Quinn brought in two young coordinators. David Blough was promoted from within to offensive coordinator, a move that raised some eyebrows.
For starters, Blough is just 30 years old. Blough just got into coaching in the 2024 season and spent 2024 and 2025 with the Commanders as an assistant quarterbacks coach. However, due to quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard leaving and Kingsbury being fired, Blough will now call plays after just two seasons as an assistant.
Recently, Blough shared what his emotions were like after being told he earned the job.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
“Man, from the first day I got here, I have felt a very specific development plan for me. Whether it’s getting a call plays and practice at different points along the way, whether it’s getting to present in front of the team, opportunities like that. So, you know, I don’t know if surprise is the right word, but incredibly grateful and thankful to be here,” Blough explained.
Even though Blough is inexperienced as a coordinator, he doesn’t plan on playing it safe. In fact, the coach went so far as to say his offense is going to “go for it in a big way” in 2026.
“I think when these opportunities come up with the men that we have on this roster, with the coaches that we have on the staff, with Dan Quinn, Adam Peters, you have to go for it. I don’t ever want to live a life that is timid and so we’re going to go for it in a big way. And it’s really exciting to think about, having this opportunity now where I’m sitting and going forward and just building it with the group that we have,” Blough said.
It should certainly help that Blough gets to work with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, but had an injury-plagued, disappointing 2025 season. The hope is that with a new offensive philosophy and time to heal, Daniels will thrive again in 2026.
It may seem risky to hire an offensive coordinator with just two years of coaching experience, but it’s clear the Commanders weren’t comfortable risking Blough heading elsewhere. As a former quarterback, Blough just may be the perfect person to work with Daniels going forward.