Whether either offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury or defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. return to the Washington Commanders in 2026 remains a question mark
One of the biggest question marks this offseason was the status of the Washington Commanders' coaching staff.
That includes Dan Quinn, though recent reporting across the league has pointed to a year three as the Commanders' head coach as more likely.
As for Quinn's coordinators, that remains uncertain heading into the regular season finale with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN noting that changes could be coming on both sides of the ball.
"League sources consider it likely that Washington makes a change at defensive coordinator after Joe Whitt Jr. was stripped of playcalling duties earlier this season," Fowler wrote on Wednesday. "The Commanders are 31st in total defense. Injuries and a lack of pass rush personnel have contributed, but coach Dan Quinn faces a critical third season in Washington and appears poised to make changes. Quinn has been calling the defense; whether he continues to do so will depend on an offseason review."
It's not a massive surprise that a new defensive coordinator would come to fruition with the Commanders staring at a total rebuild heading into the offseason with virtually every unit looking for upgrades. Whether that comes in the NFL Draft remains to be seen with edge rushers and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs becoming popular selections through the final month of the regular season.
As for the other side of the ball, all eyes are on whether a head coaching opportunity will materialize for coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. It's been an ongoing storyline through the second half of the season as the former Texas Tech then Arizona Cardinals head coach drew looks for opportunities after his first season with the organization and enters his second offseason among the best odds to become the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
"Kingsbury's head coaching candidacy is interesting despite Washington's struggles," Fowler wrote. "The Commanders rank 21st in total offense - ahead of Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - despite a poor supporting cast ravaged by injury. He's a potential fit in Tennessee, with a young quarterback in Cam Ward who fits his style of offense. Las Vegas, should that job open as many around the league expect, will take a hard look at improving its offense. Kingsbury has been selective but is also open to becoming a head coach again. So while he's not the shiniest name because of Washington's record, I could see him being in the mix again."
Kingsbury previously addressed head coaching interest this month, adding, "we'll see how that plays out, but for today, I'm just trying to get one of these quarterbacks ready on a short week.
Even if Kingsbury returns, it marks one question answered and several more unclear. While Washington also enters the offseason with a top ten draft pick and the sixth-most projected cap space, there are several holes on offense with a depleted running back room, a wide receiver room that will have to either re-sign Deebo Samuel or fill the WR2 hole, along with address the future of the tight end room with Zach Ertz battling back from a season-ending ACL injury and unproven talent behind him in. Add in no signed quarterbacks on the roster beyond Jayden Daniels, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn will have their work cut out for them.
But the first step is finalizing who will lead both sides of the ball with change on the horizon.