Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi reacts to the 2025 season and the team moving on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
The big domino in the Washington Commanders' offseason materialized on Tuesday when news broke that both coordinators, Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr., were no longer expected to return to the organization.
Whitt's departure did not come as a surprise after he was demoted midseason with head coach Dan Quinn taking over play calling duties on defense, but the same can't be said for the offensive side of the ball.
"My understanding is that key Commanders offensive players, including QB Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team’s decision to part ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury," Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday. "Daniels vouched for him to stay in his presser on Monday and was among those blindsided by the move. Offensive players on the team figured the only way Kingsbury would be gone is if he got a HC job."
"I love working with Kliff," Daniels said on Monday prior to the news. "Me and him have a special relationship. We kind of built that these past two years and I kind of wish I was out there more to play for him this past year."
Kingsbury is expected to be in demand with the Baltimore Ravens now a reported team in the mix after Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported "many believe Baltimore, paired with Lamar Jackson, would be an ideal landing spot for the now former Commanders offensive coordinator." The Tennessee Titans have also been linked to Kingsbury while he was previously loosely linked to the New York Giants' head coaching vacancy.
Still, for an offense that ranked among the worst in the NFL in total yards and scoring offense, offense guard Sam Cosmi understood why the move was made.
"Kliff as a person is a phenomenal person, really respect him as who he is," Kingsbury said during an appearance on 106.7 on Tuesday. "One thing I did appreciate the most was when it came to being able to talk to players, be able to get our feedback, he took that. Not a lot of OCs do that. That’s something I truly appreciated that he listened to us. That speaks about his character and who he is. It’s unfortunate of the events of that just took place but for the most part, it is business. We have to perform."
"At the same time, this type of season that you have, normally somebody gets cut, gets the boot. So whatever decisions they’ve decided to make upfront is up to them so be like okay, I got you, what’s next? What’s the new playbook?
After opening the 2025 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, Cosmi was designated to return on Oct. 1 before being activated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 18 ahead of the week seven road game against Dallas. He returned to the starting lineup where he took back over for Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie at right guard before ultimately leaving the week 17 matchup against Dallas on Christmas Day with what the team ruled a concussion, leading to him to miss the season finale after being placed on IR.
Cosmi is expected to be a key part of the Commanders' offensive line in 2026 while Chris Paul, who started 15 games at left guard, has made a compelling case as a re-sign candidate. All eyes will turn to left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason after general manager Adam Peters noted the two sides are in "constant communication" about a potential contract extension this upcoming offseason.
"He's self represented, but he has a team around him that we have constant communication with and have throughout the year. So I think what I can say is we definitely want to get something done with them sooner rather than later," Peters said during Monday's end of season press conference.