With David Blough officially announced as the new offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders in 2026, we take a look at how he fits.
The Washington Commanders filled one of its two coordinator vacancies after news broke Friday evening that David Blough would be promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in Dan Quinn's third season as head coach, ending speculation about the various former head coaches with ties to Quinn who could serve as a jolt for the offense. Despite being just days removed from being officially announced, Blough also enters the new week as the second-longest tenured offensive coordinator in the NFC East. But what does David Blough bring at the helm of the offense and what are the question marks?
Reason for confidence: IQ & continuity for QB Jayden Daniels
There’s been a lot made of the Commanders’ decision to promote Blough. Viewed as an up-and-comer, many around the organization pointed to Washington’s desire to not watch another rising coaching candidate to end up blossoming outside of the organization. When fans remember the likes of Sean McVay, Matt LeFleur, Mike McDaniel, Kyle Shanahan and Raheem Morris all on Washington’s 2013 staff, it’s an understandable reason.
But that isn’t the primary reason for optimism around Dan Quinn’s decision. In a season when quarterback Jayden Daniels watched a pair of assistants he’s grown very close with leave the organization in quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Blough’s promotion provides the necessary stability ahead of a critical year three for Jayden Daniels.
Sure, year three is as critical for Dan Quinn as he enters a likely make-or-break season in his tenure as head coach, but for the face of the franchise, Blough’s role gives Daniels a chance to add to his arsenal.
What Blough adds is the experience under Kliff Kingsbury with a chance to add his own flair from his past experience. After playing under Todd Monken, Anthony Lynn, Kevin O’Connell and Ben Johnson before coaching under Kingsbury, Blough will now join an offense with a wealth of experience to now help rebuild the Commanders offense.
Blough also learned from Kingsbury’s no-huddle offense, but with an expected commitment to the ground game, Johnson and O’Connell’s identity with their rushing attack could be a bigger influence on the 2026 Commanders offense with a chance for Daniels to line up under center more, potentially setting up the play action. Head coach Dan Quinn reportedly had philosophical differences with Kingsbury in their end of season meeting with Quinn looking to run the ball more and control the clock, now giving Blough a chance to deliver exactly that. But what Blough's offense will materialize into exactly is unclear.
While his play-calling experience is limited given he’s stepping into a coordinator role in just his third year coaching, he does have experience installing plays, including one that materialized into the game-winning touchdown to Jamison Crowder in the 36-33 win vs. Philadelphia in week 16 of the 2024 season.
Biggest question: too risky of a choice in a make-or-break year?
The reason why simplifying hailing a promotion from within as a win for the organization stems back to this - is Blough the right time for the organization to test out an emerging hire? After reaching the NFC Championship game in his first season, Dan Quinn’s second season evaporated a lot of the good will that was built with a need for the team to avoid the bottom of the NFL standings yet again. Another way of putting it: Quinn now needs to prove 2024 isn’t a fluke.
2026 will be Blough’s first time in a full-time play-calling role, not designing plays, but running the show. Surrounding himself with experience will be critical this offseason, while the quarterback coach role has drawn intriguing candidates with one of Jayden Daniels' old college coaches and the son of a franchise legend in the mix.
While the offensive line enters the offseason in a good spot with left tackle Laremy Tunsil in line for an extension while left guard Chris Paul, one of a long list of free agents this offseason, is a high priority target to anchor the trenches after materializing into an asset for the Commanders. But what skill players surround Jayden Daniels is a question mark.
Bill Croskey-Merritt is back in 2026 as the only running back under contract and while he shined in doses on the ground, Washington will look to add a receiving back to the mix. Whether it’s a re-sign like Chris Rodriguez or a free agent like Jets RB Breece Hall, Washington will have to address that rotation with the ground game expected to become a key piece.
The wide receiver and tight end rooms also enter the offseason in need of playmakers despite multiple under contract. Terry McLaurin is set to turn 31 at the start of the 2026 season with not much proven depth returning alongside him. Deebo Samuel was a toss-up to return for a second season with the organization, but the team’s leading receiver will also likely in line for what could be his final big contract. Washington enters the offseason with plenty of cap space, but that doesn't mean a reunion is likely. If Samuel leaves, then that leaves a big hole at WR2, but tight end is as much of a concern with Zach Ertz’s status for next season and beyond not yet announced and the depth behind him largely unproven. This offseason features a long list of available tight ends for Washington to find a receiving threat with capable blockers already on the roster, and with Blough finalized, the Commanders can start to put that together. But how does Blough make those pieces gel in his first season?