Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed two more have been added to the on-field staff with a pair of promotions on the way.
The Washington Commanders have made two more staff positions finalized - somewhat.
Head coach Dan Quinn announced during his opening statement that Wes Welker will indeed serve a role on the Commanders' offensive staff in 2026. The news comes fresh after John Keim of ESPN noted that Welker was in the mix to join the offensive staff after previously serving as a personnel assistant in 2025, though he previously served as the wide receiver coach at San Francisco before following Mike McDaniel to Miami. While his exact title remains unclear in 2026, Quinn confirmed that Welker will now work on the offensive side of the ball after the former NFL receiver was with the defense during the 2025 season.
The news came fresh after the organization confirmed the hire of both DJ Williams and Darnell Stapleton, who join the organization as quarterbacks and offensive line coach in 2026. Danny Etling was also officially announced as the new assistant quarterbacks coach, marking his first coaching position.
Washington also announced the addition of Eric Henderson as both defensive line coach and run game coordinator after previously serving on the USC defensive staff, though he drew praise from future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald during their time together with the Los Angeles Rams.
Henderson replaces the role filled by former player Darryl Tapp, though he will remain with the organization and serve as the assistant defensive line coach in 2026.
Washington also made another hire official as head coach Dan Quinn announced that William Gay will be promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2026. Gay join the organization in 2024 as an assistant defensive backs coach after serving as defensive backs coach at Missouri State in 2020 and beginning his coaching career in 2019 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gay also served as a defensive analyst on the University of Texas' staff following the 2023 season before being hired by the Commanders the following year. The hire reunited Gay and Quinn - along with former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. - after Gay served in the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 offseason.
Of course, Gay also made a name for himself as a player with the Steelers after two stints over ten years with the organization. The former fifth-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft became a key part of a Steeler defense that was among the best in the NFL and part of the 2009 Super Bowl team. Gay amassed 13 interceptions, five touchdowns and 577 tackles over his NFL career, but now, he'll look to become a key part on the defensive staff under new coordinator Daronte Jones.
The news came after head coach Dan Quinn made the latest round of coaching hires official during Tuesday's press conference ahead of a 2026 season that features inexperience yet intrigue along the coaching staff and ahead of a pivotal third season with the staff.