Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was one of several NFL assistants named as potential head coaching candidates with the 2025 offseason approaching.
While the college football coaching carousel kicked off into. high gear just weeks into the 2025 season, the NFL carousel has yet to materialize with only two teams - the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans - entering the final month of the regular season with head coaching vacancies. The Washington Commanders were one of a handful of teams to be hit after quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard, who has been with the franchise since 2023 and was retained by head coach Dan Quinn in 2024, was named the next head coach at Stanford, his alma mater where he is now reunited with former teammate Andrew Luck.
Head coach Dan Quinn pointed to David Blough, former NFL quarterback after staring at Purdue, as Pritchard's replacement, but whether there is a bigger vacancy to fill on the coaching staff this offseason is another one to watch with Dianna Russini mentioning offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury among several NFL coordinators who could make the jump into a head coaching role.
Kingsbury was mentioned alongside Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Seahawks offensive coordinato Klint Kubiak, Bills offensive coordinato Joe Brady, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Jags defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Whether Kingsbury would be back for a third season has been a soft question among the fanbase after the former head coach drew looks as a potential. head coaching candidate following the 2024 season that produced a Rookie of the Year selection in quarterback Jayden Daniels. While Washington ranks 15th in total offense with wide receiver Terry McLaurin and quarterback Jayden Daniels missing extended periods of the injury-filled season, it would mark a setback for a franchise looking to become a consistent contender in the NFC East.
Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic also wrote on Saturday that Kingsbury could be in the mix for head coaching jobs this offseason, but cautioned about any potential quick decision.
"However, I would imagine Kingsbury will approach this offseason just as he did last year. He won’t jump to just any team. Even though the Commanders are what they are this season, they have a very good young quarterback, a solid offensive line and a front office and coaching staff he likes. That matters," she wrote.
Kingsbury's lone stint as an NFL head coach was with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 where he finished 28-37-1 in four seasons with one postseason appearance. Kingsbury became a bigger name within the coaching industry while building his air raid offense at Texas Tech, where he finished 35-40 in six seasons as head coach while coaching players like Patrick Mahomes.
The news also comes with uncertainty about the long-term status of defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. with head coach Dan Quinn now calling the defense, taking over play-calling duties after Washington's 44-22 loss vs. Detroit.
“I understood it. And I expected it,” Whitt said following the coaching change. “So, it was what it was. When he came and sat down and talked to me, I knew what the conversation was gonna be.