#washington-commanders

#washington-commanders

The offensive and defensive coordinators hired by Dan Quinn when he took over as head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2024 had a combined 21 years of NFL experience. Roughly half of those were at the head coach or coordinator level. By contrast, the two new coordinators - Daronte Jones and David Bough - have a combined 10 years of total experience, with three of them at the coordinator level. Quinn is trusting the far-less-experienced duo to revive Washington's fortunes. It's a bold move - one that is based as much on gut instinct as résumé. Quinn has no concerns, at least publicly. He made his feelings clear about that. "I know we may talk of two first-time coordinators, but I also recognize everyone needs their first stop. I really feel like we're going to set them up to succeed."

The 2024 second-team All-Pro began his seventh year in Washington as a no-show in training camp and preseason during a dramatic contract standoff with general manager Adam Peters. The matter was resolved in time for the regular season, but he started slowly and then suffered a quad/hip flexor injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. McLaurin missed seven of Washington's next eight games, eventually finishing the season with 582 receiving yards and three touchdowns from 38 receptions.

As the offense continues to build around Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders will continue to search for ways to add speed, flexibility, and mismatch potential to the middle of their offense. With an expected emphasis on spacing, pre-snap disguise, and forcing defenses into unfavorable personnel decisions from offensive coordinator David Blough in 2026, Washington profiles as a strong landing spot for an athletic tight end who can function as a movable chess piece.

The Commanders used two linebackers - Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu - on almost every snap. They usually had three defensive linemen and a standard two-corner/two-safety secondary on the field. That leaves two other defenders who floated. More often than not, those players were edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr., who was often tabbed as a linebacker, and big nickel safety Jeremy Chinn. Both could shift into the linebacker role, creating a de facto 3-4 front.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Carolina Panthers are hiring Darrell Bevell as associate head coach/offensive specialist. He was being touted to the Commanders because of his prior association with Quinn and his coaching of Blough with the Detroit Lions. The respected coach also has a strong bond with Dave Canales, who considers him a mentor. That was enough to tip the scales in the NFC South club's favor.

Head coach Dan Quinn has already made changes to his staff this offseason. Nobody expected anything less after the Washington Commanders failed to meet expectations in 2025, but it was a drastic roll of the dice that can hopefully lead to improved fortunes moving forward. Both coordinators have been replaced. Daronte Jones will lead the defense, and David Blough will spearhead the offense.

Nobody needs to go over how Dan Snyder botched the rebrand. His interest in the club had diminished almost completely by this point, and the Commanders' downward spiral to rock bottom or worse was gradual and depressing in equal measure. Harris has no such lack of enthusiasm, and even though the repair job is far from complete, this organization is on the right track.

General manager Adam Peters decided to prioritize the protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels during the 2025 offseason. These investments paid off, with the Washington Commanders' offensive line emerging as a real bright spot amid the misery, but it did mean fans had to say goodbye to one of their favorites along the way. And after one season away from Washington, Cornelius Lucas could be watching his career come to a close.

The Washington Commanders must be aggressive this offseason to put the right defensive pieces in place to help Daronte Jones maximize his new opportunity. There is money to spend in free agency, but there could be another daring trade to consider if general manager Adam Peters believes it can provide the catalyst for immediate improvements. There are growing murmurs around media row at the Super Bowl about a five-time Pro Bowler who could be looking for a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Daronte Jones decided that he had no use for Ryan Kerrigan on his defensive staff. His status in Washington Commanders folklore will always be remembered fondly as a player and coach, but this scenario was always likely under a new regime. Kerrigan survived when head coach Dan Quinn replaced Ron Rivera. The assistant linebackers coach and pass-rush specialist wasn't as fortunate when Jones took charge, and his illustrious stint with the franchise has now come to an end.

The Commanders have already made significant alterations on the defensive side of the ball. Daronte Jones will lead the unit after impressing during the interview process, replacing fired coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Several assistant coaches have been let go, and Jason Simmons has taken a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This could merely be the tip of the iceberg. Peters must aggressively attack free agency, especially with only two selections in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.