Image Source: Zachary Pereles
Key Takeaways
- The Washington Commanders have parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
- The team’s offense, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, struggled in 2025 due to injuries and other factors.
- The Commanders’ defense was one of the worst in the NFL, allowing the sixth-most points in the regular season.
- General manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn face major decisions on both sides of the ball, including finding a new offensive coordinator.
- Kliff Kingsbury is expected to have several landing spots, either as a head coach or as an offensive coordinator, due to his strong work with the Commanders in 2024.
Introduction to the Washington Commanders’ Offseason
The Washington Commanders’ offseason has begun with two significant changes: the team has mutually parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. This move marks a stunning turn of events for the Commanders, who had a successful 2024 season under Kingsbury’s leadership. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, "Everything needs to be and is being thoroughly examined and discussed," said coach Dan Quinn. The team’s offense, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, was one of the best in the NFL in 2024, but struggled in 2025 due to injuries and other factors.
The Struggles of the Commanders’ Offense
The Commanders’ offense was severely impacted by injuries in 2025, with quarterback Jayden Daniels playing in just seven games. The team’s top two outside wide receivers, Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, also missed large chunks of the season, and the offensive line got off to a slow start. As a result, the Commanders’ offense struggled, ranking 22nd in yards per game and 23rd in points per game. Despite these challenges, Kingsbury was able to adapt and find ways to win games, including a win with third-string quarterback Josh Johnson. As Mariota noted, "I think first and foremost [Kingsbury’s system] allows a quarterback to see everything… I’ve been in systems where you have to call these long play calls… I think being able to be on the ball is very quarterback friendly."
The Commanders’ Defense
The Commanders’ defense, on the other hand, was one of the worst in the NFL, allowing the sixth-most points in the regular season. The team ranked 28th in the league in passing yards allowed, 30th in rushing yards allowed, 23rd in third down efficiency, and 31st in red zone efficiency. Coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling midseason, but the team’s defense continued to struggle. As Quinn noted, "We’re going through all of the coaches… And so, that’s really what we’re digging into to find what’s best, how do we do it, you know, where do we find spaces to improve?"
The Future of the Commanders
The Commanders’ decision to part ways with Kingsbury and fire Whitt Jr. marks a significant shift for the team. General manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn face major decisions on both sides of the ball, including finding a new offensive coordinator. As Peters noted, the team needs to find a way to merge what Daniels has played in while still diversifying the attack. The Commanders’ offense will likely undergo significant changes, and it will be up to Peters and Quinn to find the right pieces to put in place. As Daniels said, "I love working with Kliff… Me and him have a special relationship… I kinda just wish I was out there more to play for him this past year."
Kliff Kingsbury’s Future
Kliff Kingsbury is expected to have several landing spots, either as a head coach or as an offensive coordinator, due to his strong work with the Commanders in 2024. As Jonathan Jones reported, Kingsbury could figure heavily in both coach and offensive coordinator searches. Kingsbury’s ability to develop young quarterbacks and his creativity from a scheme and play-calling perspective make him an attractive candidate for several teams. The Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants are all potential landing spots for Kingsbury, who has shown the ability to win games with multiple quarterbacks. As Kingsbury noted, he would want to be a head coach again "at some point," but for now, he will have to wait and see what opportunities come his way.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/commanders-fire-coordinators-kliff-kingsbury-joe-whitt-jr/