Dan Quinn and Adam Peters are reportedly expected to return to Commanders in 2026, but who else returns on the coaching staff is a question mark
With only one day left until the 2025 regular season is complete, all eyes will be on what changes could be coming to the Washington Commanders' coaching staff. Latest reports points to potential quick changes, and once again, they're pointing to overhaul changes.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com pointed to it being "likely" that Joe Whitt Jr. is replaced as defensive coordinator in 2026.
After a frustrating 4-12 campaign, the Commanders are expected to retain the football leadership that helped them reach the NFC Championship game last January, including coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters. But other changes could be coming. Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in November and it’s likely Washington will have a new DC. Although Whitt is a trusted confidante and has worked with Quinn for years, a new defensive voice would make sense, and Washington has done research to that effect. Changes on offense also are possible, though it’s not yet clear how, or when, those could come about. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is expected to get head coach interviews and could be headed elsewhere.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic pointed to "conversations about potentially moving on from [Kliff] Kingsbury even if he doesn't get a head coaching job" in what would be a major shakeup for an offense already without quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard, who returned to his alma mater midseason, and ahead of a pivotal year three for quarterback Jayden Daniels after a mixed bag of results through two seasons, largely due to injuries that limited him to seven appearances in 2025.
"Some in the building say there's been a disconnect between Kingsbury and general manager Adam Peters," Russini wrote.
Kingsbury has been loosely tied to the New York Giants' head coaching vacancy during the season, but the latest smoke has pointed to the Tennessee Titans as the more likely team to watch after becoming a mainstay among the reported pool of candidates from late December into 2026.
One week after deflecting reports of head coaching interest, Kingsbury maintained his non-answer approach when asked about outside opportunities that may materialize this offseason.
"I mean [I am] going to kind of cross that bridge, you know, winning if we get there, but the focus right now is still just trying other beat Philly and I'm really excited to work with Josh [Johnson] one more time," he said on Thursday.
Of course, what happens at the top could change the entire equation, but reports have consistently pointed to head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters as likely to return, as NFL.com reported on Saturday morning. JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan also reported that it's "widely believed [Dan Quinn]/[Adam Peters] are safe, as they should be. Coach & GM built a lot of equity in 2024 season."
But after suffering a likely second four-win season in three years - and first under Adam Peters and Dan Quinn - the latest reporting adds more credence to the longer list of questions than answers that the Washington Commanders are tasked with facing this offseason.